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Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer

Oracle SQL Developer: Learn Database design, development,and administration using the feature-rich SQL Developer 4.1 interface

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Profile Icon Susan Harper Profile Icon Ajith Narayanan
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Paperback Jan 2016 344 pages 1st Edition
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Profile Icon Susan Harper Profile Icon Ajith Narayanan
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Paperback Jan 2016 344 pages 1st Edition
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Oracle SQL Developer

Chapter 2. Database Connections and SQL Worksheet

In SQL Developer, one of the most important navigation windows is the Connections window pane. This is the window where we have all our predefined database connections. Once we have added the required connection definitions to the databases, we can quickly launch the connections to the databases and start working. Another important fixed window after making database connections is the SQL Worksheet window. The SQL Worksheet provides a scratch pad for all SQL, PL/SQL, and SQL*Plus statements and commands. You can run individual statements or a collection of commands. You can also run scripts and execute PL/SQL. In essence, you can do all you might do in a command-line interface like SQL*Plus. The SQL Worksheet provides more; it offers code templates, code snippets, assists with code insight and completion, and maintains a history of commands. In this chapter, we will look at the connections window and other features offered in the...

Working with the Connections navigator

The Connections navigator lists all our database connections created by us. A double-click on each of those database connections will open the database connection for us using the saved credentials for that particular database. Objects are grouped into nodes in the Connections navigator to reflect their types. They are ordered by most commonly used with Tables, Views, and Indexes at the top of the list. You can refer to the following screenshot to see the grouping, order, and some of the currently available types displayed in the Connections navigator. The selection of browsable object types available increases with each release as the SQL Developer team adds support for more features. SQL Developer allows you to explore the contents of your database using the connection tree.

A complete list of supported database object types can be seen in the following screenshot:

Working with the Connections navigator

Opening connections

To open a connection in the navigator, follow these steps:

  1. Under...

Working with database objects

To work with any object, select and expand the respective object node. The most common node you'll work with is the Tables node. This displays all of the tables the user owns (all of the tables in the schema). Each of the object nodes is identified by an icon, and the Tables node highlights some of the main table types using these icons. Not all are singled out, but the more commonly used ones are. If you expand the HR Tables node, then the COUNTRIES table, which in the sample is an index-organized table, is identified by the slightly different table icon used. Partitioned tables are also distinguished from regular, simple tables using icons. The following screenshot displays the index organized, regular, external, partitioned, and temporary icons:

Working with database objects

Display editors

Once you have expanded an object type node in the Connections navigator, selecting any object in that node opens a window of tabs, called display editors, which define the object. Each editor displays a data grid of details describing the selected object. These are based on queries against the data dictionary and you can get the same results by writing the SQL yourself.

The number and types of editors displayed will vary depending on the object or database that you are connected to. If you are connected to Oracle Database 11g or above, then an additional Flashback editor displays with the other table display editors.

Display editors

Note

The Partitions tab is permanently displayed from SQL Developer 2.1.

General display editors

Instead of itemizing each of the object types and the different collections of display editors, we'll use the Tables node to review some of the display editor details. Using the HR connection, select EMPLOYEES in the Tables node to see the general display editors...

Working with the data grids

The contents of each display editor are displayed in data grids, which typically have three or more columns of data within the grid. A few are two column name-value pair data grids, such as the Details editor. The data in these grids is not editable and merely reflects the details about the object or structure selected. There are two exceptions. The first exception is the Data editor included with the set of display editors for certain objects, such as tables and views. The Data editor displays the instance data for a table and, depending on the object, this data can be edited and the changes can be committed to the database. The second exception is the Code editor for PL/SQL objects, where you are placed into a PL/SQL editor when you select the object.

Data grids throughout SQL Developer have context menus on the column's headings and the data grid itself. You can control the layout and what data is displayed by using these two context menus. For the remaining...

Reviewing other database object nodes

As you select each of the other database objects, you'll notice that the set of display editors varies considerably.

It would be tedious to single out each of the object nodes and describe them here. The display editors and data grids behave the same for each of them.

Working with PL/SQL objects

Triggers, functions, procedures, and packages all have their own separate nodes in the Connections navigator. A single-click on any object in these PL/SQL nodes opens as editable PL/SQL code, as shown here:

Working with PL/SQL objects

In the preceding screenshot, the initial Code editor is the editable PL/SQL code editor. This Code editor is included in the set of display editors for the selected procedure.

Tip

Unlike with other database objects, each new selected PL/SQL object opens a new window. In other words, the windows are automatically pinned for the PL/SQL windows. For more information, see the Chapter 4, Working with PL/SQL.

Accessing objects you don't own

Very often, you may...

Working with the Connections navigator


The Connections navigator lists all our database connections created by us. A double-click on each of those database connections will open the database connection for us using the saved credentials for that particular database. Objects are grouped into nodes in the Connections navigator to reflect their types. They are ordered by most commonly used with Tables, Views, and Indexes at the top of the list. You can refer to the following screenshot to see the grouping, order, and some of the currently available types displayed in the Connections navigator. The selection of browsable object types available increases with each release as the SQL Developer team adds support for more features. SQL Developer allows you to explore the contents of your database using the connection tree.

A complete list of supported database object types can be seen in the following screenshot:

Opening connections

To open a connection in the navigator, follow these steps:

  1. Under the...

Working with database objects


To work with any object, select and expand the respective object node. The most common node you'll work with is the Tables node. This displays all of the tables the user owns (all of the tables in the schema). Each of the object nodes is identified by an icon, and the Tables node highlights some of the main table types using these icons. Not all are singled out, but the more commonly used ones are. If you expand the HR Tables node, then the COUNTRIES table, which in the sample is an index-organized table, is identified by the slightly different table icon used. Partitioned tables are also distinguished from regular, simple tables using icons. The following screenshot displays the index organized, regular, external, partitioned, and temporary icons:

Display editors


Once you have expanded an object type node in the Connections navigator, selecting any object in that node opens a window of tabs, called display editors, which define the object. Each editor displays a data grid of details describing the selected object. These are based on queries against the data dictionary and you can get the same results by writing the SQL yourself.

The number and types of editors displayed will vary depending on the object or database that you are connected to. If you are connected to Oracle Database 11g or above, then an additional Flashback editor displays with the other table display editors.

Note

The Partitions tab is permanently displayed from SQL Developer 2.1.

General display editors

Instead of itemizing each of the object types and the different collections of display editors, we'll use the Tables node to review some of the display editor details. Using the HR connection, select EMPLOYEES in the Tables node to see the general display editors, as shown...

Working with the data grids


The contents of each display editor are displayed in data grids, which typically have three or more columns of data within the grid. A few are two column name-value pair data grids, such as the Details editor. The data in these grids is not editable and merely reflects the details about the object or structure selected. There are two exceptions. The first exception is the Data editor included with the set of display editors for certain objects, such as tables and views. The Data editor displays the instance data for a table and, depending on the object, this data can be edited and the changes can be committed to the database. The second exception is the Code editor for PL/SQL objects, where you are placed into a PL/SQL editor when you select the object.

Data grids throughout SQL Developer have context menus on the column's headings and the data grid itself. You can control the layout and what data is displayed by using these two context menus. For the remaining...

Reviewing other database object nodes


As you select each of the other database objects, you'll notice that the set of display editors varies considerably.

It would be tedious to single out each of the object nodes and describe them here. The display editors and data grids behave the same for each of them.

Working with PL/SQL objects

Triggers, functions, procedures, and packages all have their own separate nodes in the Connections navigator. A single-click on any object in these PL/SQL nodes opens as editable PL/SQL code, as shown here:

In the preceding screenshot, the initial Code editor is the editable PL/SQL code editor. This Code editor is included in the set of display editors for the selected procedure.

Tip

Unlike with other database objects, each new selected PL/SQL object opens a new window. In other words, the windows are automatically pinned for the PL/SQL windows. For more information, see the Chapter 4, Working with PL/SQL.

Accessing objects you don't own

Very often, you may have the...

Creating new database objects


In the first section of the chapter, we looked at browsing objects and data in the database. You may, if you are an application developer and working with a completed database design, spend most of your time doing just that. It is more likely, though, that you'll need to make changes such as adding or modifying structures and data. SQL Developer provides the dialogs to assist you.

In the same way that you can write SQL queries to extract information about the objects you have access to, you can write the SQL Data Definition Language (DDL) to create, edit, and modify these objects. Almost all of the object nodes in the Connections navigator provide a context menu to create a new object. To invoke a dialog that creates any new object, select the object in the navigator and invoke the context menu.

The following list is an exception for creating new objects using context menus:

  • Editioning Views

  • Queues

  • Queue Tables

  • Cross Edition Triggers

  • Directories

  • Editions

  • Application...

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Key benefits

  • • Explore all the SQL Developer 4.1 features useful for Oracle database developers, architects, and administrators
  • • Understand how this free tool from Oracle has evolved over the years and has become a complete tool that makes life easy for Oracle and third-party database users
  • • The author, Ajith Narayanan, has a total of 10+ years of work experience as an Oracle APPS DBA

Description

At times, DBAs support 100s of databases at work. In such scenarios, using a command-line tool like putty adds to the difficulty, while SQL Developer makes the life of a developer, DBA, or DB architect easier by providing a graphical user interface equipped with features that can bolster and enhance the user experience and boost efficiency. Features such as DBA panel, Reports, Data Modeler, and Data Miner are just a few examples of its rich features, and its support for APEX, REST Services, timesten, and third-party database drivers demonstrate its extensibility. You may be a newbie to databases or a seasoned database expert, either way this book will help you understand the database structure and the different types of objects that organize enterprise data in an efficient manner. This book introduces the features of the SQL Developer 4.1 tool in an incremental fashion, starting with installing them, making the database connections, and using the different panels. By sequentially walking through the steps in each chapter, you will quickly master SQL Developer 4.1.

Who is this book for?

This book is intended for Oracle developers who are responsible for database management. You are expected to have programming knowledge of SQL and PL/SQL, and must be familiar with basic Oracle database concepts.

What you will learn

  • • Install and navigate through all the advanced features of SQL Developer that were introduced in version 4.1
  • • Browse, create, edit, and delete (drop) database objects
  • • Use the SQL worksheet to run SQL statements and scripts, edit and debug PL/SQL code, manipulate and export (unload) data
  • • Carry out all DBA-related activities such as exporting/importing, tuning, and analyzing database performance issues
  • • Quickly analyze, create, and edit the data model using data modeler
  • • Extend the SQL developer capabilities by exploring the APEX related pages, enabling and working with RESTful services.
  • • Use the available reports and create new custom reports with custom scripts
  • • Grasp how to connect to third-party databases and work smoothly with them

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Jan 30, 2016
Length: 344 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781785281273
Vendor :
Oracle
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Languages :

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Product Details

Publication date : Jan 30, 2016
Length: 344 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781785281273
Vendor :
Oracle
Category :
Languages :

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Table of Contents

15 Chapters
1. Getting Started with SQL Developer 4.1 Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Database Connections and SQL Worksheet Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. The Power of SQL Reports Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Working with PL/SQL Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. SQL Developer for DBAs Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. SQL Developer Accessibility Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Importing, Exporting, and Working with Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Database Connections and JDBC Drivers Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Introducing SQL Developer Data Modeler Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Extending SQL Developer Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
11. Working with Application Express Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
12. Working with SQL Developer Migrations Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
13. Oracle Data Miner 4.1 Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
14. REST Data Services and REST Development Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

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