Book Image

Oracle SQL Developer 2.1

By : Susan Harper
Book Image

Oracle SQL Developer 2.1

By: Susan Harper

Overview of this book

As technology rapidly evolves, many developers are looking for valuable tools to assist them with their daily tasks. When dealing with databases, a clean, easy-to-navigate interface for working and browsing is essential. Oracle SQL Developer is a graphical user interface that makes life much easier by allowing you to browse database objects, run SQL statements and scripts, and create, edit, and debug PL/SQL statements in the most efficient way. It enhances productivity and simplifies your database development tasks. Although the SQL Developer journey looks simple and easy, there are many areas that can go undiscovered, leaving you just scratching the surface. It's easy to get started and master this powerful tool with this book to hand. It will provide you with in-depth details about all aspects of using SQL Developer to assist you in your day-to-day database tasks and activities. You will learn to utilize SQL Developer's extensible environment to support your ongoing needs This book offers detailed instructions for installing, configuring, and effectively using Oracle SQL Developer. You will learn how to utilize every feature of this development tool and make the most out of it. While none of the tasks are complex, the book progresses from the easy, most commonly used features, such as browsing objects and writing queries in the SQL Worksheet, to the more involved and possibly less frequently used features, such as Tuning and Testing SQL and PL/SQL, and adding User Extensions, and finally to those features used by a smaller more targeted audience, such as Migrations, Oracle APEX, and the Data Modeler. Throughout the book there are tips and suggestions gathered as a result of working with the current SQL Developer user base. This book will also show you how to assess the health of your database with built-in as well as customized reports. By the end of the book you will be confident in making the best use of SQL Developer, and be able to set up and maintain a productive environment for quick and easy database development.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
Oracle SQL Developer 2.1
Credits
About the Author
Acknowledgement
About the Reviewers
Preface
12
Working with Application Express

Working with extensions


Whether you create your own extensions or use SQL Developer out of the box, you are taking advantage of the product's extensibility when you use the features. In this section, we'll consider the additional external extensions available and how you can work with them.

Controlling existing extensions

You can add or remove Java extensions using the Extensions preferences. Oracle TimesTen, Migrations, and the version control support are all extensions designed and shipped with the product. You can see these extensions listed in the Extensions node.

Adding in new Java extensions

You can add in new Java extensions using the Check for Updates facility. There are a number of options:

  • Check for Updates—Use the Update Center

  • Check for Updates—Install from Local File

In the first instance, developers outside of Oracle, who have created a Java extension, can approach Oracle to have these included in the Check for Updates facility. If you want to use these extensions, then invoke...