Oracle has released a new version of database development and migration tool SQL Developer, which it claims to enhance developer productivity and simplify Oracle Database development.
The company said that the Oracle SQL Developer Release 2.1 introduces two new key capabilities, PL/SQL Unit Testing and Data Modeler Viewer. It also introduces Migration Workbench support for Teradata and IBM DB2 UDB for Linux, Unix and Windows.
According to Oracle, the new tool also introduces a unit-testing framework that enables developers to build and share unit tests and test suites that can be run in batch mode and from command line against different databases. PL/SQL Unit Testing offers database developers pre-built capabilities with which to develop and run regression tests for their database code.
The Data Modeler Viewer enables developers, data modelers, IT architects and others to use the tool to open and browse data models built with the Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler as well as graphically view their schema objects by dragging tables onto a model diagram. It also allows users to browse third-party database tables and their foreign key relationships on a diagram, and then use the tool to migrate data and objects to an Oracle database, the company said.
In addition, the new version also features new background task capability that allows users to run time-consuming tasks using SQL in the background while carrying out other tasks with the tool. Data grids have been enhanced to offer users control such as dynamic search, filter and highlighting; and
Version control support for perforce and serena dimensions.
Mike Hichwa, vice president of software development at Oracle, said: The addition of PL/SQL Unit Testing sets Oracle SQL Developer apart from many other database development tools. We know virtually every Oracle Database customer uses PL/SQL, and having a robust unit testing framework will allow our customers to reduce cost and improve the quality of their releases.
SQL Developer is available for all editions of Oracle Database 11g and runs on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X, and for Oracle Database 10g and Oracle9i Database Release 2.
