The thing about working with a database is that it can never be easy enough
to query, manipulate and create object data from rows and columns in the
database.
Oracle has improved the creation and debugging of
SQL
SQL Developer, its graphical user interface (GUI) tool for programming
databases.
Version 1.1 boasts a redesigned object browser that features new filtering
capabilities, better SQL*Plus compatibility for SQL Worksheet and improved
Data Grid features.
SQL Developer 1.1 includes a tool to build master and detail
reports, incorporate charts, manage snippets and set custom user preferences. It also now allows developers to import and export data from a
variety of formats, including Microsoft’s Excel spreadsheet program.
Moreover, 1.1 lets users browse third-party databases, such as Microsoft SQL
Server and IBM’s DB2 Universal Database.
Sue Harper, senior product manager for Oracle, said SQL Developer was
created last year after Oracle identified a gap in its toolset that would
enable its own developers to more easily move applications in and out of
Oracle databases.
Rather than rely on Quest Software’s Toad tool or All Around Automations’
PL/SQL Developer tool to better interface with their databases, Oracle decided it would create its own tool to simplify programming on its databases.
The tool sparked interest. Harper said SQL Developer 1.0 posted about
400,000 downloads in nine months.
Oracle SQL Developer 1.1 is free for customers with an Oracle database
license.
Available for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows operating systems, SQL Developer
works with all versions of Oracle Database 10g, and on all flavors,
including Enterprise Edition, Standard Edition, Standard Edition One, and
Express Edition. The tool is also available for Oracle9i Database Release 2.
Oracle today also announced SQL Developer Exchange, a developer site where participants can request
feature enhancements and share reports or code snippets.
