SQL Developer Review
November 30, 2017
SQL Developer Review
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Oracle SQL Developer
I use SQL Developer (SD) for PL/SQL development. Being free from Oracle Corp, it is a very cost-effective way to build and maintain PL/SQL code. I like the main editor window that I can execute PL/SQL or SQL and get results. The SQL can be easily saved for future use in the form of a report. There is a nice history function that shows all of the code (last 100 things done I think...) SD executed. This feature is particularly handy when doing some SQL tuning with hints. Another nice feature is that SD supports the APEX environment, right out of the gate! You can easily view the APEX management data right from SD. SD also has code snippets and some code templates. The code snippets are drag and drop bits of code useful for various functions, SQL tuning (there is a category for all of the useful SQL hints), date functions, date/time masks, number/character conversions, and more. I have plugged my various useful SQL into the SD reports making them very easy to run.
- PL/SQL Development: the tool's strength really. SD supports code condensing, parentheses/brace matching, insites (popup windows with data object column names, etc).
- I like the report feature...very easy to add your library of SQL to be run as reports. SD works with bind variables in your SQL well too.
- The history feature is particularly nice. It's called SQL Recall and it saves quite a number of PL/SQL and SQL code you have been working with for near-future reference and recovery if needed.
- The code snippets is very nice. Various functions and function details at your fingertips. Use a drag and drop operation to add to your code.
- SQL Tuning. SD has explained plans but these could easily be improved upon using the latest features of the Oracle RDBMS.
- More code templates. You can add your own but the tool seems to be lacking a bit when it comes to pre-existing code examples.
- Smaller foot print. The thing is huge and somewhat slow.
- Seems every time I get a newer SD, I also have to upgrade the Java environment as well. Would be nice if they picked a rev of Java and stuck to it.
- The real positive is SD is a good tool and it is free from Oracle Corp.
- No real negative impact other than the thing is huge and somewhat slow.
- I've given it to developers and end users as well. SD is a great tool to view data, especially if you know a bit about the SQL language.
SQL Developer is good with PL/SQL development and running SQL. SD has comparable features to all of the Oracle development GUI's I've seen and used. The Toad products have query builder...a nice SQL builder for the novice. The Toad products also have more code snippets and code templates. Toad for Oracle has quite a bit more advanced SQL Tuning features available. These other tools also cost quite a bit so SD is good at what it does and is very affordable for free.