We’ve gone a bit manic when it comes to releasing updates for SQL Developer:- 4x a year, or once a quarter. We’re committed to delivering on this schedule, but we reserve the right to skip a release if there’s no urgent need.
More frequent releases means not as much time to wait for bug fixes, and also that new features will be rolled out in smaller changes vs more dramatic ones.
Here’s where we’ve been:
Statement of Direction
You can find that in full, here. But the short version of it is:
Oracle SQL Developer will continue to introduce support for and enhance the user experience with new Oracle Database features. In addition, existing SQL Developer features will continue to be enhanced as well as new features will be developed based on the feedback of our large and active user community. To date, Oracle SQL Developer has implemented 750 user-submitted ideas on our SQL Developer Exchange.
Upcoming, quarterly updates will focus on the following areas –
- Database administration features, specifically database performance and status diagnostics
- Data uploads from on premises to Oracle Public Cloud Database Services
- Securing your database application code from SQL injection vulnerabilities
- SQL Developer Web – a SQL Developer interface in your browser for working with and managing your Oracle Public Cloud Database Services
Catch up on features…
Here are all my posts by version of SQLDev:
Ok, Do You Need to Upgrade?
Probably.
Each version of SQL Developer has been the best version available at that time. Version 4 was a HUGE jump in performance, features, and quality – we worked on if for almost 2 years! If you’re on a version older than 4, then you DEFINITELY NEED TO UPGRADE.
After that, I’d say why not go and get whatever’s the latest every 6 months or so.
Also – as each new version of Oracle Database is released, we have DB feature specific support go into a corresponding release of SQL Developer. So, just be sure your SQLDev came out AFTER the latest version of Oracle Database you are working with on a regular basis. In other words, if you use version 3.2 of SQLDev against a 12cR2 Database, you won’t get any of the 12R2 feature support 🙁
Here is a handy chart to help you decide:
How Do I Upgrade?
Get the new software/zip. Extract it to a FRESH directory. Start the application. Say ‘yes’ to migrating your settings over. Use the new version for a few weeks. Once you’re happy, feel free to nuke the previous install(s). That’s about it.
11 Comments
There are multiple ways to perform rolling upgrade. But you must identify which one will work for your environment. Below are the two common methods used
https://support.dbagenesis.com/knowledge-base/oracle-11g-to-12c-rolling-upgrade/
Just installed SQL Developer 18.1.0.095 on my Windows 10 v1803 workstation. I have my resolution set to 150%, but SQL Developer application is not respecting that after the initial splash dialog. It reverts to the size of 100% resolution. Anyone else having a similar issue? Going back to SQL Developer 17, which resizes itself according to windows resolution setting.
I answered your question on the forums… assuming that was you there…
Thanks, Jeff. That did the trick! Apologies for cross-posting.
Solution here: https://community.oracle.com/message/14818102
No worries, I would have shared the link but on my mobile phone at a conference today…
Jeff. SQLDeveloper 18.* seems to have an issue seeing mapped drives on windows. Any suggestions?
btw 17.* does work fine.
One caveat on upgrading, if you’re using SQL Developer with an Oracle client, there are some dependencies between Oracle client versions and SQL Developer versions. For example newer versions (4.15+) of SQL Developer will encounter errors with 12.1 client, so 12.2 client will need to be used. I have not seen a documented support matrix between the two, but have seen the issue.
I just thought: “I had been kind of busy lately, but where I had been, that I didn’t notice that I was, at least, 14+ versions behind ? “…. Then, after reading your emails and blog, I realized it, and catch up from version 4.2 to version 18.1. Uff!! Now I feel really relieved. Looking forward to use this new version. Thank you, Jeff. 🙂
Yeah, sorry about that 🙂
“Many of you have been here since Raptor”
Me !! 😉
Thank’s for the evolution
Awesome, and thanks Alex!