Oracle SQL Developer Reviews

To me, the most valuable feature is the ability to quickly reverse engineer a database structure into a data model.

There's also a drag-and-drop feature that helps you build queries in SQL Developer, which has a visual query builder with it. I like that feature a lot as it has a number of options in the wizard to pick what type of query you're trying to build. It can build inserts and updates as well. I've used that quite a bit as well. That was very helpful for, I'll say, short-cutting the process of building queries. It helps me be agile.

Where clients of mine have adopted using the data modeler in particular, the teams are able to become more efficient because they have the data model to use as a reference diagram and documentation to the structure of the database. That made planning changes to the database, reports and things like that much easier to do, and less error prone. Whereas before, when they didn't have a model and they were having to guess at what the data structures were and do a lot of individual investigations. It took a lot longer to get things done.

It also allowed us to produce a data dictionary for the organization, which helped business users. I deal primarily in data warehousing and so from a business intelligence perspective, being able to publish a data dictionary to the business users was very helpful because it helped them understand the database that they're trying to pull the data from.

I have been using both SQL Developer and SQL Developer Data Modeler for six years.

Especially in the more recent versions, I've not had any stability issues at all.

I don't have it randomly crashing on me, so that is good. Seems to work equally well on Windows and Mac OS.

It seems to scale fine. If you're trying to return exceedingly large data sets into the tool for some reason to download, that could be a challenge, depending on the memory on your machine and the disk space you have to output it to. Oracle will perform the query just, depending on how well your database is tuned, but oyu do need space for the output.

On the Data Modeler side, people do run into issues with very large models with hundreds and thousands of objects, but there is actually a memory parameter and a config file which you can tweak to increase the amount of memory that the tool uses. That, of course, is then limited only by how much memory you have on the workstation you're using.

I've been quite happy with both SQL Developer and SQL Developer Data Modeler. They have incrementally added features over time. A number of things it was lacking in earlier versions they have added as a result of feedback from myself and other folks in the community. They're adding features all the time.

That's one of the things that I think is most impressive about it: the team that supports this tool. Product management and development are very responsive - via not only formal channels, but informal social media channels - at providing information on best practices and even taking input on changes where someone does find something that they think they would like to see changed. They take input in many ways.

On the OTN Data Modeler Forum, the lead architect and developers are incredibly responsive. In all honesty, they are more responsive than what I had seen in the past when I was working with customers that had big Oracle support contracts where you had to call Oracle support. The development team monitors the questions on the OTN forum and replies usually within 24 hours at the latest to questions people have the about the tool. I've used that forum for that entire time. Often asking how to do something and getting a very quick response on how to do it and in some cases it was, "Well, the tool doesn't do that, but here's a way you could do it instead," and actually getting workarounds.

There have been a number of cases where I've said, "Hey, it would be nice to see this kind of feature or that kind of feature." They actually came out in the next release. Very, very impressed with the development and product management team for this particular tool.

One of the product managers blogs multiple times a week on SQL Developer and SQL Developer Data Modeler, and he is on social media, on Twitter in particular, all the time and is very responsive to comments and requests and questions from customers.

I've only gone to the OTN discussion forum, and gotten all the support I needed there. I've never opened a ticket of any kind formally through support.

I had originally been an Oracle Designer user, which was the predecessor to Data Modeler and in the interim had used ERwin at one point as well and looked at Embarcadero. While all those tools were, I'll say, very functional, full featured, they were very expensive.

The bottom line is, when I first started using these tools, it was because I was in an organization that basically had no budget for doing this type of work, data modeling, so, they weren't doing it. Data Modeler is, for no other reason, the only choice because it was a no-cost add-on. It didn't cost you anything to use Data Modeler if you have an Oracle license so I began using it.

I actually used it against not only Oracle, but against SQL Server databases as well and found I was able to, in particular, do data warehousing. I needed to reverse engineer source systems that weren't in Oracle and often were in SQL Server, and then go forward designing a new data warehouse from there. I was able to pretty easily, again with some help with the development team, figure out how to connect both SQL Developer and SQL Developer Data Modeler to Microsoft SQL Server databases. They did, indeed, design it to do that, so it was not completely database agnostic, but it did allow you to look at some of the other major databases like SQL Server and DB2. I found that very useful to be able to conect with both of those tools, especially helpful in doing data warehousing.

It is by the far the easiest tool from Oracle to install that I've ever seen. When it first came out, I did a presentation six weeks after getting my hands on it and the presentation started off with, "Well, let's first install it," and it was one slide. Download the ZIP file. Unzip it. You're done.

On SQL Developer, the only additional thing you have to do is set up the connection to the database. Assuming you already have a database in place, it's a wizard. You go and put in your credentials and it connects and you're off to the races, able to query data in the database and make changes to the database.

With the Data Modeler, it doesn't require a database connection. If you were going to design something from the ground up, you literally unzip it, start it, and create a new model. The longest part of that is downloading the ZIP file, so depending on your connection, that's how long it takes to install it. 30 seconds to unzip it and open.

It's easy enough to install and try, that you ought to just do it. Then the next thing would just be look at a couple of books available on the product, on the Data Modeler product in particular, if you decide to go down that route. Otherwise, there are several people like myself and the product manager who blog about the products. Follow the experts on social media to get your answers, but the first thing is to just download it and try it and start asking questions.

I have not considered switching to anything else. I see no reason. I'm an Oracle ACE Director, and using Data Modeler is the thing that I am known for.

I am a blogger, The Data Warrior, and I have multiple blog posts on it about these tools. My most popular blog post was when I wrote, probably almost three years ago now, about how to connect Data Modeler to SQL Server. The second most popular blog post is the very first one I wrote about the Data Modeler. Every so often, I go back and have to update it because there's new releases.

Every client I have had and every organization I have worked for since Data Modeler came out and SQL Developer came out, I get them using it. I have had several organizations that were using Toad and when time came for the support renewal on those, I usually got them to convert over to SQL Developer.

For the last few years: Ctl + F7. That shortcut will format my queries the way I desire. This is especially helpful since I work with a query generator (OBIEE) and sometimes have to look at hundreds of lines of SQL. Formatting it helps me read the SQL. If I didn’t have this capability, I would format it by hand which would add time to my day.

At a prior organization, we had no reporting capabilities. Business Users would ask me to run reports for them. Since there were restrictions in other delivery mechanisms (think: web front end), I ended up creating SQL Developer Reports and then distributing those to the Business Users. This isn’t an ideal way to distribute reports, but it worked, and freed up my time to do other more important things.

Feature-wise, it has everything that I need. My only complaint over the years has been memory usage, which seems to improve with each release. I also understand that this may be out of the developer’s control (i.e. Java).

I have used this solution for 10+ years. I downloaded and used Project Raptor when it was first released.

Customer service has been most excellent. The Product Manager is on Twitter (and happens to be a friend), Jeff Smith. I’ve bothered Jeff myself and have watched him help others routinely via Twitter and his blog. I honestly can’t think of a better PM out there. Additionally, Kris Rice (also a friend) was one of two of the initial developers (if I remember correctly).

Technical support has been excellent. If Jeff (or Kris) can’t answer in 140 characters, he’s probably written it up as a solution for whatever ails you on his blog. I frequently go there to find answers before asking.

I would use Toad to monitor database sessions. It had a pre-built reporting solution for that. But Toad cost quite a bit of money. When SQL Developer (Project Raptor) came out, I installed it and built the same session monitoring reports there. No more worrying about cost.

Initial setup was very straightforward: Unzip, find the executable and go. I have it installed on Windows, Mac and Linux (Ubuntu, Oracle Enterprise Linux).

I did not really evaluate other options before choosing this product. I mainly used SQL*Plus and occasionally Toad.

Among the most valuable features is the automated unit test capability for PL/SQL development. It allows us to implement a form of test driven development (TDD) for database-resident code.

We can switch between heterogeneous databases.

After installing a MySQL driver, for example, we can work with these row stores. It also supports Oracle Cloud legacy schema-as-a-service connections and the newer DBaaS connections.

I am not aware of any areas for improvement at the moment.

We have been using the solution for eight years.

We did not encounter any issues with deployment.

There are occasional runtime issues that are easily worked around, especially on a Windows deployment. However, these have never been impediments and the installation is regularly updated with patches and fixes.

We did not encounter any issues with scalability.

This is a self-service offering so customer service is not relevant.

I cannot comment with regard to the technical support.

We did not use a previous solution.

The setup was very simple, using only point-and-click as long as your workstation meets the runtime JDK prerequisite.

Not applicable.

I cannot comment on the ROI.

It's a no-cost license and it offers outstanding functionality on that basis.

For data architects, it offers the advantage of being part of the same tool set as the cost-free license for Oracle Data Modeler. Together, they form a nice tool kit for data architects as well as database developers and other specializations.

I use the product, and the many aspects of it, because it covers everything from querying a database to monitoring to making a conceptual model to getting the model from the database and producing diagrams. It has many uses.

If you make it the tool you use, everyone can talk the same "language" in terms of the tool and the use cases. Once you know it, how to use it, you can tell the whole organization how a given task will be done.

You can install it on every platform. It just works. The other thing is that it's free. And Oracle is committed to the development of the tool, so it has been improving.

There is room for improvement in the Real Time SQL Monitoring.

It's more stable sometimes and less stable other times. I have used it on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's variable, it's not the same stability. I think that can be improved on.

It can be used by many because it's mainly a client-server.

When I have had a problem I have gone to blogs or developers' sites for answers. I have not submitted a formal case to Oracle Support.

Developer is centered on Oracle. I have the need now to monitor a much larger diversity of things. We are talking about monitoring cloud infrastructure where you have machines, where you have many other things, apart from the development. Also, SQL Developer is backed by Oracle, it's free, and it accomplishes what we need to be done.

My most important criteria when selecting a vendor are, first, the vendor's reputation, and then the feedback I see from other users.

It's very simple to set up.

It's free.

In terms of advice, I would first ask you what you are expecting from the tool and, if it is in the scope of Oracle SQL Developer, I would recommend it.

I rate this solution at nine out of 10. It accomplishes what I expect. It's a nine and not a 10 because, it needs better real-time monitoring of development.

It's a free tool which allows you to see an Oracle Database structure and run queries against Oracle Databases.

• It's a free tool
• Ability to analyze performance, using Explain Plan statement
• Ability to export and import data without using any Oracle utilities

It would be nice to have the ability to access DBs than Oracle.

No stability issues.

No scalability issues.

Very good.

I have used tools such as Toad, PL/SQL Developer, SQL Navigator. I switched because this one is free.

Initial set-up was straightforward. Just download the solution from Oracle OTN and after that run the installer.

It’s a free tool.

Toad, SAP ADS, SQL Navigator.

It’s a great tool for accessing and exploring Oracle Databases.

I noticed that many of the small features are the biggest time-savers like:

• ‘Copy Selected Column Header(s)’ in the data grid
• Persistent highlighting of rows or cells in the data grid
• Search-and-replace with its smart options
• History (of statements and files)
• Splitting windows and document groups, pinning

Personally, being a nosey person, I love the Statements-Log Window, which shows every command SQL Developer sends to the database.

I have used it for three years.

Deployment was the easiest I ever encountered:

1. Unzip
2. Optional: find ide.conf, set the language to ‘en’
3. Optional: change NLS settings
4. Ready

Version 4.1.3 64-bit is very stable.

I had some problems with an older version freezing several times a week, but that was about two years ago and has hardly ever happened since.

Technical support is excellent. There’s the fast track via Twitter, but most of the time, I found the answer on Jeff Smith’s blog or Oracle Tech Net (OTN) before making a fool of myself by asking. Jeff has solved many of my problems “by unsent messages”. ;-)

You get very fast support on OTN or Twitter.

In different projects, I used to use TOAD and PL/SQL Developer.
One of my customers decided he didn’t want to spend any money on tools, so SQL Developer was my choice... I guess I have to be grateful :)

Initial setup was very easy, see above.

I tried Raptor ages ago (and didn’t like it at all), but now I am a converted SQL Developer enthusiast.

Read Jeff Smith’s blog. If you think a feature should be there, investigate. Quite likely, it’s already there; maybe you just overlooked it. If it’s not, open a feature request at sqldeveloper.oracle.com. Learn a handful of shortcuts (or two), it will improve your efficiency enormously.

I am using Oracle SQL Developer for formulas to find results in the databases.

The most valuable features of Oracle SQL Developer that I use. However, I do not use all of them

Oracle SQL Developer could improve the speed, it is a bit slow.

I have used Oracle SQL Developer for approximately six months.

The stability of Oracle SQL Developer is okay.

Oracle SQL Developer is scalable. It can perform the same when more people use it.

Most of the people in my organization are using Oracle SQL Developer. We have approximately 100 people in the organization.

I have not used the support from Oracle SQL Developer.

The initial setup of Oracle SQL Developer is straightforward.

For first-time users of Oracle SQL Developer, it's going to be a bit difficult, but they can find their way around over time.

I rate Oracle SQL Developer a nine out of ten.

I didn't face any other issues other than it being a bit slow when you have a lot of work to do.

Right now I am using SQL Developer to install a database, and I use it as a client tool.

Oracle is tremendous. I have always said to everybody, without knowing other databases, that Oracle is the best database that can exist in this world. That's for sure. Everybody is considering cost, mainly, so I've heard many stories recently of migrating to PostgreSQL, for example, because it's open-source and many small customers don't need all the super advanced features of Oracle, which costs a lot of money.

But on the other side, a great feature of Oracle, I think, is that it allows me to download the database and use it at home. Not a demo database or something restricted but the full version. That's fantastic.

I tried using SQL Developer once, when I was still working as an employee, using one of the older versions. It worked nicely, and I liked that I didn't need an installation, it was very convenient. But after many years, when I tried to use it again, against the more advanced Oracle Database, it did not work. Something in the Java was not compatible. I would have had to install it again, and I didn't do so. 

But now I am properly studying the issue of installing a database of my own, versus installing a virtual box with an Oracle appliance inside. I will have to see which one works best for me because each one has pros and cons. I am not a DBA. So if I get involved in an installation problem, I don't know how to get out of it.

Personally, I always prefer to use a product from Oracle. First of all, this one is free. And second, it is not so complicated. In another company, for example, the strategic development tool was Toad. And they have even joined Toad with a version manager, the specific version manager, and everybody had to work with Toad. I did not like Toad. So I occasionally worked with SQL Developer, but mostly I worked without any development tool, just writing in an editor, in Notepad. So I developed my entire career, practically, in Notepad.

I think it's a good product in the sense that it does not overwhelm you with many features. So I would give it a 10 out of 10.

I would recommend it.