Oracle SQL Developer is an integrated development environment (IDE). It has been used around the world for many years, but other IDEs have emerged over time. They came with more features, facilities, and enhancements, and made database development, administration, and SQL coding much less of a pain.
dbForge Studio for Oracle is one such IDE. It offers a simple and intuitive interface, practicality in managing databases and schemas, ease of export and import (spent and impdp) of schemas, agility in writing PL/SQL, and many more features.
Oracle SQL Developer and dbForge Studio for Oracle share some similar features, but there are also major differences. For example, Oracle SQL Developer does not require installation, it can be downloaded and run. dbForge for Oracle requires installation, but it is very practical, fast and intuitive. dbForge Studio for Oracle has advantages that make it the best choice in many cases, whatever your purpose, from database administration to SQL development.
Let’s get acquainted with the essential differences.
Write and execute SQL queries
In both IDEs, we can set the desired schema using the command change session set current_schema = SCHEMA_NAME.
In Oracle SQL Developer, when we define the schema in this way and start writing a query, the IDE will not bring us hints of information based solely on that specific schema. Nor will it offer the possibility of using a hint in writing. It is that it does not understand that the scheme is already defined previously. As a result, we have to code everything manually.
In dbForge Studio for Oracle, with the same command executed to define the schema, you are presented with a range of options and opportunities to write the query. For example, when we insert a table while writing queries, the IDE automatically suggests relevant hints. It could suggest us to use a simple JOIN or choose from all possible JOIN options (and provide those options). To view all schemes, select show all objects in the upper corner.
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The Query Builder allows us to create queries visually without having to write them manually. Both IDEs have this option.
To use it, select all the desired tables (multiple tables) in the left menu and drag them to the field used by the Query Builder (open in New Query). However, Oracle SQL Developer requires that we create relationships between the tables and the required columns of each table and then create the SQL script. dbForge Studio for Oracle creates these relationships between the selected tables automatically. You only need to define the desired fields in each table to create the script.
Take a look at the following illustration with three tables. Two of them correlate and the third does not.
object explorer
To explore the schema objects in SQL Developer, right-click a table on the left. You can rename, change, drop objects, and perform other actions. It also applies to columns and indexes. Also, left-clicking on a table opens a new tabbed window containing various information related to the tables (also columns, data, models, constraints, grants, indexes, etc.). And you can modify these tabs.
dbForge Studio for Oracle offers the same options as SQL Developer and many additional options. For example, it allows you to create a relationship diagram. Go to the menu on the left and choose to create the diagram from the schema tables. Select all the necessary tables, right-click and choose Send To > Database Diagram. After that, the Studio will display the screen that will allow us to observe all the relationships, primary keys (each arrow in the diagram visually corresponds to a primary key), foreign keys, table fields, data types, and much more data.
code standards
In SQL Developer, the script format type includes SQL Standard. When inserting or writing a query, you can format it according to the SQL standard: make sure that indentation, capitalization, etc. be correct. To do this, press CTRL + F7 and select the option to edit a query. Or go to the top menu, click Tools > Preferences > Code Editor > Formatting > Advanced Formatting. There you can choose various options such as alignment, indent spaces, line breaks, etc.
In dbForge Studio for Oracle, format queries more easily. Press CTRL + K + D or click Tools > Options > Text Editor > Format > Profiles > Edit/New Profile. This section offers various formatting options. For example, you can format a specific command automatically, such as the SELECT command. Choose it from the menu on the left and set the formatting style by turning the options on and off. The preview window on the right helps you estimate how that look fits your preferences.
code snippets
Code snippets are reusable templates that contain a basic or general structure of an SQL statement or PL-SQL blocks.
To access this functionality in SQL Developer, go to the top menu > Tools > Preferences > Code Editor. From here, you can choose Advanced Format. That section allows you to change the default query format based on your personal or professional needs or preferences. Another choice option is Code Templates where it is possible to change, add or remove code templates. In SQL Developer, the code template have a ID is used to “call” the template when writing SQL. For example, if there is an id named in s, type “ins” in the worksheet, and select the template to appear. The script corresponding to that template will appear in the worksheet for you to use.
In dbForge Studio for Oracle, press CTRL + W + T to display the code snippets menu on the right. The last icon in this menu refers to the snippet manager where you can customize, add and remove SQL templates. Suppose you want to create templates for specific DML statements. then click snippet manager > SQL Syntax, and proceed to the DML Statements file.
To use an existing template in dbForge Studio for Oracle, simply drag the block name into the “.sql” script window and it will appear on the screen.
code debugging
Debugging is essential for any SQL developer or database administrator, as it helps to identify possible execution problems with an SQL statement or PL-SQL block.
In SQL Developer, to debug, for example, a procedure, you should select the procedure on the left, right-click on it, select compile to debuginsert the break points, Run, insert the parameter values for that procedure (if necessary), and click OK. After that, it is possible to see the values of the fields by hovering over the object in the SQL text.
dbForge Studio for Oracle allows you to debug a simpler procedure. Simply select the desired procedure, right-click on it, and choose Build > Build for Debug > select the desired Object Name > Build. Once this is done, select the breakpoints, run and insert the parameter values. Variables can be added to watch list (see bottom of menu). The values are changed in real time at each step (right-click on the desired object > Add Clock).
export and import
It is often necessary to update one or more schemas in test or staging environments to validate code changes, applications, etc. This operation suggests the use of export and import functions.
SQL Developer allows you to perform the Export option. Go to the top menu > Export Database. A new Export Wizard window will open for you to insert, select, or deselect the desired options (objects, data, etc.).
With dbForge Studio for Oracle, it is possible to generate a schema script by simply right-clicking on the desired database > Export and Import > Export Schema. Then you must select or modify the necessary information. Furthermore, it is possible to save the export scheme script in project format (Save project) or command line format (save command line), and then use the SQL script in a .bat file.
The image below shows the Schema Export Wizard. About him General tab, we choose the information of the database, schema, etc. And in the export content tab, we can check the options that will be included in the Export.
invalid objects
SQL Developer does not have an enabler for interactions with invalid objects in the Oracle database. In dbForge Studio for Oracle, we can use the Invalid object manager, which is a tool that makes compiling invalid objects much easier. Right-click on the database in question and select Invalid Object Manager. After that choose Required action or the necessary objects > Compile. He State and Result of each build will follow. At the end, you can click reanalyze to redo the validation and check if any object is still invalid.
The image below shows that the analyzed environment has no invalid objects, only valid objects.
Schema/data comparison
A powerful and very useful dbForge Studio tool for Oracle allows us to compare schemas and data in different environments quickly and securely.
To access this functionality, go to the top menu > Comparison > New Schema Comparison. Next, select the source database and the target of the comparison. Check these databases in the connections created in dbForge Studio for Oracle. After that select Fountain and Aimand all schematics will be displayed in Schema mapping. The option not to show the “system schematics” (Hide system schematics) is already enabled by default.
First, it shows what is or is not different between the schemas. Then we select the desired scheme in the fountain and destinationclick Compareand the tool performs all the necessary comparisons.
If it detects differences, it generates the DDL of the table.
And we can run it manually or automatically directly in the synchronization tool.
Exclusive to dbForger Studio for Oracle, Schema/Data Comparison helps DBAs verify, for example, how up-to-date the test environment is and whether the application team can use it (they need an environment as close to production as possible). This activity happens almost daily, so to avoid updating the entire environment, I use the schema/data compare tool and only update the desired objects.
Conclusion
In short, dbForge Studio for Oracle is often superior in both functionality and applicability. After getting acquainted with dbForge for Oracle, I use it constantly, in all possible activities. For those looking for agility in writing PL/SQL, practicality in DBA activities, and security, dbForge Studio for Oracle is for you!
Categories: Technology
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
