Date: Mar 2010

Oracle SQL Developer is a free graphical tool for database development. With SQL Developer, you can browse database objects, run SQL statements and SQL scripts, and edit and debug PL/SQL statements. You can also run any number of provided reports, as well as create and save your own. SQL Developer enhances productivity and simplifies your database development tasks.

SQL Developer can connect to any Oracle Database version 10g and later and runs on Windows, Linux and Mac OSX.

SQL Developer supports migrating 3rd party databases to Oracle. The tight integration capabilities provide users with a single point to browse database objects and data in third party databases, and to migrate from these databases to Oracle.

Oracle SQL Developer integrates with Oracle APEX, allowing you to browse applications and perform other Application Express activities. With Oracle SQL Developer you can browse, export and import, drop or deploy applications. There are a selection of Application Express reports and you can create your own custom reports.

The latest release of Oracle SQL Developer provides PL/SQL Unit Testing, integrated Data Modeler Viewer and integrated support for versioning and the source control systems Subversion, CVS (Concurrent Versions System), Serena Dimensions and Perforce. Supporting the version control is a File Browser to browse and read files stored in the file system. You can open and edit these files from within SQL Developer. In addition, release 2.1 includes many updated features, such as SQL Formatting, Schema Compare, Copy and Export wizards and the addition of migration support for IBM DB2 and Teradata. Times Ten support is also integrated with the product. A listing of all the new SQL Developer 2.1 functionality is available.

Download Oracle SQL Developer 2.1, released in Dec 2009, from OTN.

Below is a summary of the capabilities of SQL Developer. Click on the image thumbnail to view a full-sized image.

Capabilities

1. Create Connections
2. Browse Objects
3. Create Objects
4. Modify Objects
5. Query and Update Data
6. Export Data and DDL and Import Data
7. Schema Copy and Compare
8. Process Commands
9. Edit PL/SQL
10. Run and Debug PL/SQL
11. Run and Create Reports
12. PL/SQL Unit Testing
13. Data Modeler Viewer
14. Migrate from Third Party Databases
15. Version Files
16. Review the Robust IDE

1. Create Connections

Create and test connections for multiple databases for multiple schemas Store often-used connections Import and export connections Store password or be prompted on connection Import connection details from tnsnames.ora Support for LDAP, Kerberos, external authentication and proxy users Group connections in folders Advanced option to identify URL for connecting from Java Connections for TimesTen, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, Sybase, Teradata and IBM DB2 a full listing of certifications is available

SQL Developer fully support connections to Oracle 10g and above.

Users can create Database Connections for non-Oracle databases MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, Sybase, Teradata and IBM DB2 for object and data browsing. Limited worksheet capabilities also available for these databases.

2. Browse Objects

Tree Based Object Browser Support for common objects Tables, Views, Indexes Packages, Procedures, Functions, Triggers Types Sequences Materialized Views and Logs Synonyms (public and private) Database Links Directories XML Schemas Queue Tables and queues Java Jobs Recycle Bin (10g and above) Other Users Tabbed display of details specific to each object type

Objects are grouped together by type. For each object type, a filter can be applied to restrict the display.

3. Create Objects

Create dialogs for each supported object type Includes support for: External Tables Index Organized Tables Temporary Tables Partitioned Tables (Range, Hash and List) Supports mixed-case and multi-byte characters

On table creation users can specify sequences and before-insert triggers for populating a column with values.

4. Modify Objects

Action-specific dialogs for modification, such as Table > Rename Column > Add View > Compile Index > Rebuild Procedure > Debug Trigger > Disable Sequence > Drop Materialized View > Change Parallelism Synonym > Drop Database Link > Test Recycle Bin > Purge

Most objects have a general edit dialog as well as specific modifications available by invoking a context menu through right-clicking.

5. Query and Update Data

Use the Query Builder to quickly create SQL queries by drag and drop, to select tables, and mouse-click to select columns.

6. Export Data and DDL, Import Data

Data export available from any data grid. This include Table > Data, SQL Worksheet Results and Report output.

7. Schema Copy and Compare

8. Process Commands

Any files opened will be opened into a SQL Worksheet. The user will simply select the appropriate connection from the upper-right list and can edit, execute and save.

9. Edit PL/SQL

Full Function Editor Code Snippet Viewer Code Formatter Syntax Highlighting Code Insight (auto complete) Code Folding Inline Error Reporting Code Bookmarking Customizable Quick Keys Customizable Code Snippet Viewer File based PL/SQL editing

Any .pks, .pkb and .pls files opened will be opened into a PL/SQL Code Editor. Uses can edit, use snippets, compile and save these files.

10. Run and Debug PL/SQL

Run Procedures, Functions, and Packages DBMS_OUTPUT Function return values OUT parameters Run PL/SQL dialog Specify run target Shows parameter information Generates editable PL/SQL block for populating parameters Full functioning debugger Control program execution(Step into, over, ...) Inspect and modify variables Configure breakpoint conditions

11. Run and Create Reports

Most of the provided reports include click-through. If a user clicks on a resulting row, the definition of the object in that row is displayed. The SQL for any report can also be pulled into a Worksheet, edited and then stored as your own custom report.

12. PL/SQL Unit Testing

13. Data Modeler Viewer

14. Migrate from Third Party Databases

Create database connections for MySQL Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Access Sybase IBM DB2 Teradata Browse third party databases Quick Migrate Least Privilege Migration Step-by Step Migration Capture Third Party Model Convert to Oracle Model Generate DDL Script Execute DDL Migrate Data to Oracle Fine grain migration Complex object migration supports stored procedures, triggers and views Translation Scratch Editor Translation Difference Viewer

15. Version Control

16. Review the Robust IDE

Multiple Components Connections Reports SQL Worksheet Snippets (drag and drop into code) Freeze View Dockable Windows Split Screen Preferences Auto commit with SQL Worksheet Set Accelerator Keys Show Line Numbers Tab Size Check for Updates 3rd Party Drivers to add CVS, Serena Dimensions and Perforce extensions Extensible

SQL Developer leverages the JDeveloper IDE. This gives developers the option to write extensions.

Discuss this in the OTN Oracle SQL Developer Forum.

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