Oracle Development Tools to Use for Enterprise Applications

Oracle database is an RDBMS (relational database management system) produced by Oracle Corporation. In this article, we'll look in-depth at its relevant features, history, and editions before discussing further. We need a fuller understanding of this database before discussing further.

What is a Database?

Databases are electronic records storing structured data and editing database records. A database makes it easy for people to find, access, and manage information. Before the database system was implemented, data was typically stored in flat files; relational database models are more popular because they eliminate redundant information - for instance, storing employee and contact data in one file may result in employees with multiple contacts appearing as various rows.

RDBMSs are databases designed to manage relational data. Oracle cloud infrastructure Database is the best-known relational database (RDBMS), as its market share surpasses all others. Other popular relational database systems are MySQL, DB2, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL. amazon web services

What Is An Oracle Database?

Oracle Database, commonly called OracleDB or simply "Oracle," was first designed and released for public sale by Oracle Corporation in 1977 by Lawrence Ellison as one of their flagship relational engines for storing and organizing data in IT industries worldwide. It remains one of the most popular relational engines used to manage and store IT information today. SQL queries provide access to interact with the database.

Oracle Database Editions

Oracle Database supports several platforms, including Windows, UNIX, and Linux. Oracle added GNU/Linux support in the late 90s.

Here's our prioritized list of Oracle databases editions:

• Enterprise Edition: This edition provides superior performance and security.

• Standard Edition: This edition provides users with all of the basic functionality of Enterprise Edition without its robust package.

• Express Edition (XE): This is the free, lightweight, and limited Windows and Linux edition.

• Oracle Light: This version is optimized for mobile devices.

• Personal Edition: This version of Oracle Real Application Clusters does not come standard in this edition of Enterprise Edition.

Oracle: Its Importance

Oracle Database Company is one of the oldest databases worldwide, focused on meeting enterprise needs while staying ahead of technological developments. Products are updated frequently with new features, such as Oracle Cloud services providing users with its latest database (19C). Furthermore, users have a selection of editions suitable to their budget requirements that meet them perfectly.

Oracle Database Features

Oracle Database is an all-inclusive and open system designed to manage data. These features contribute to powerful database administration.

Availability: Oracle Data Guard ensures a database's high availability by acting as a backup to the primary one in case of failure, so all normal processes, such as backups or partial losses, don't stop being used and thus don't disrupt professional service to users.

Security: Oracle Advanced Security offers comprehensive protection. TDE (Transparent Data Encryption), Data Redaction, and Oracle Database Vault regulate user rights. At the same time, Oracle Label Security ensures data confidentiality at every step.

Scalability: Real Application Cluster (RAC), portability, and scalability of Oracle databases in accordance with utilization are features of scalability. Incorporating elements like performing upgrades, maintaining continuity of application services, and quality service management.

Performance: Oracle provides several tools to optimize system performance, such as Oracle Advanced Compression and Database in Memory. They also offer Oracle TimesTen Application Tier Database Cache to achieve maximum system efficiency.

Oracle Analytics: Oracle offers several solutions for analytics applications:

• Oracle Analytical Processing (OLAP): This Oracle module performs complex analytic calculations using business data.

• Oracle Advanced Analytics: Oracle Advanced Analytics combines Oracle R Enterprise, Oracle Data Mining, and Oracle Text Mining to assist customers in creating business units models using text mining techniques and statistical computation.

Oracle Multitenant: Oracle Multitenant combines a container database and several pluggable databases into one consolidated solution.

Oracle Database Best Tools

DbVisualizer

DbVisualizer is an agile multi platform IDE that makes connecting to any data source that supports JDBC connections easy and effective.

The main features are as follows:

• Advanced SQL Editor featuring auto-complete and formatting features.

• The Inline Data Editor allows you to edit and stage data before committing them all simultaneously.

• Basic performance analysis using Explain Plan Monitor

• Use native java oracle, SQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB database features to automate database updates.

DBeaver

This free tool gives you access to various databases, including Oracle. The main features of this tool include:

• Data Editor is an easy and user-friendly way to edit, search and filter data.

• SQL Editor with templates and autocomplete.

• An ER Diagram can be used to visualize a database model.

DBeaver Pro comes in three editions: Lite, Enterprise, and Ultimate. These editions provide advanced features like support for NoSQL databases, editable ER diagrams, and cloud support; a free trial version may also be made available upon request.

SQuirreL SQL

Squirrel is a free Java-based graphical tool designed to connect to any JDBC database for free online, developed over 20 years ago and still maintained today. Features of SQuirreL include:

• Basic Navigation Panel.

• SQL Editor with Code Completion.

• Data Editor.Query Builder and Graphical ERD Tool

• The design of the plugin enables easier customization to specific vendors.

Squirrel is available free from Sourceforge Repository.

DataGrip

Jetbrains' IDE offers access to over 40 data sources using JDBC connectors. This modern and powerful tool features:

• Context-sensitive autocomplete with local history, code formatting, and context-sensitive autocomplete capabilities.

• Version control integration using GIT, SVN, and Mercurial is now possible.

• Schema Different makes syncing databases easy.

• Data Editor, Import/Export, and Compare Tools are essential for managing databases.

Oracle Specific Database Client Tool

These tools were specifically developed with Oracle databases and offer more advanced features than generic tools. Professionals working exclusively with Oracle databases use them, as they provide multitasking capability.

SQL*Plus

SQL*Plus, an Oracle command-line utility included with Oracle database installations and Oracle Client installations, enables the execution of SQL scripts, sentences, and PL/SQL blocks against an Oracle database. WHENEVER provides simple formatting and editing functions with minimal error detection features, it is typically used for running batch scripts without human interaction.

SQLcl

SQLcl is a multiplatform, free command line interface for Oracle databases. It uses the same engine (see below) as SQL Developer but without its GUI interface. Oracle is actively developing it and plans to replace SQL*Plus with this user-friendly tool that offers enhancements such as statement completion, command recall, and Liquibase integration; 100% compatible with SQL*Plus scripts and many other features.

SQLcl does not require Oracle Client installation since it utilizes its JDBC Driver for connection establishment. However, you can force an Oracle Client installation for thick connections ("thick connection").

SQL Developer

Oracle SQL Developer is a multiplatform, free Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed for Oracle databases. Utilizing the same engine as SQLcl, but with an intuitive graphical user interface in Java - and compatible across Windows, Linux, and OS X platforms.

The main features are as follows:

• The PL/SQL Development IDE is a powerful tool that enables you to debug, compile, document, test, and manage source control for PL/SQL codes.

• Database Administration and Monitoring Options allow common tasks, like handling security and storage, to be accomplished more easily.

• Data Modeling Software for SQL Developer (SQL Developer Data Modeler).

• Utilize the Oracle Migration Assistant to switch from other databases to Oracle seamlessly.

SQL Developer provides an easy way to connect Oracle Cloud Integration (OCI) databases with on-premises Oracle 11gR2 databases without needing extra Oracle Client Software installation - download from Oracle Download Page, unzip, and begin use immediately!

PL/SQL Developer

PL/SQL Developer for Oracle is an integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for users who require program units within an Oracle Database using the PL/SQL programming language. Windows-only users are supported.

The key features of PL/SQL Developer include:

• An integrated PL/SQL development environment with syntax highlighting, syntax beautifier, and object description tools.

• Integral debuggers and profilers allow testing, debugging, and verifying the performance of developed codes.

• Oracle Database Integration with Scheduler Option

• Integrated Database Diagrams make it simple and quick to visualize complex databases.

• Command Window emulates SQL*Plus for creating and testing scripts that will later run on it.

• Various plugins are available to enhance features like Documentation, Unit Testing, and Version Control.

TOAD for Oracle

Quest's software products used to be an essential resource for Oracle database administrators. Although initially tailored towards administrators, the graphical oracle applications cloud now provides developers with a cheaper and simpler option.

The most common features of TOAD for Oracle are:

• SQL and PL/SQL Editor, with Debugger and Query Builder.

• SQL Optimizer to detect missing indexes.

• Schema & Data Compare Tools.

• Data Generator.

The TOAD for Oracle DBA Edition also offers the following:

• Data Modeler.

• Performance analysis and trending.

• Support for Oracle RAC on Exadata and Oracle RAC.

TOAD for Oracle Developer Edition provides advanced PL/SQL unit testing features, commonly known as the utPLSQL Unit Testing feature.

dbForge for Oracle Studio

Devart has designed this tool with several modules and powerful features such as:

• PL/SQL Development Module with Intellisense. Query Formatter and Profiler, and PL/SQL Debugger.

• Visual Database Designer provides table editors and query builders.

• Change Management modules offer data import/export functionality and data comparison/synchronization/schema alignment/synchronization features.

dbForge Studio comes in three paid editions - Standard, Professional, and Enterprise.

Mobile Client Tools

Connecting an Oracle database via mobile is possible; however, they are less numerous than other database engines such as MySQL, SQLite, or PostgreSQL.

Android Client Tools

These tools are compatible with Android devices.

• RoSQL is a SQL client that supports Oracle, MS SQL Server, and MySQL.

• Simple Android Oracle Client. (Supports Oracle versions 11g and later).

IOS Client Tools

What was supported on Android is now also available on iOS

• iOracleProg - Oracle Client

Plugins And Tools For Development Clients

Developers already utilizing an IDE to code in their chosen language have various options, including integrating Oracle features and connectivity. Oracle provides multiple free tools which can assist them. Oracle Developer Tools for Visual Studio 2017-2018 and 2019: For seamless integration between Microsoft Development IDE and Oracle Databases, downloads for.Net Visual Studio are available here.

Oracle Php Extension

As part of their ongoing support of PHP open-source projects, Oracle has created and maintains two tools that make up its OCI8 Extension and PDO_OCI Driver tools for PHP OCI8 Extension development and PDO_OCI Driver development: an OCI8 Extension and PDO_OCI Driver extension respectively.