Other 11g news: The little SQL Developer editor that could

The new 11g release of the RDBMS has brought an interesting array of new features for database administrators and developers, including new tuning features, revisions to SQL and PL/SQL and the inclusion of the latest version of Oracle Application Express (APEX).

One additional inclusion in the 11g release that hasn't received much press is the inclusion of SQL Developer in the default RDBMS install package. As of the 11g release SQL Developer v1.1.3 is now included by default.

This brings up an interesting point. SQL*Plus for many years has been a dominant SQL editor for the Oracle RDBMS for the fact that it's a common dominator on all Oracle installs. Guaranteed between Oracle sites, you can ensure SQL*Plus is installed. I often make this point to students when teaching SQL why SQL*Plus is preferred.

So it's now possible with the inclusion of SQL Developer we may see a gradual change in SQL*Plus's dominance given that SQL Developer will be readily available for use on all installs. You never know, you might even see hardcore DBAs using it ;)

Oh, and before the SQL*Plus lovers jump on my back, I'm not advocating SQL*Plus's replacement, that one tool is better than another, that SQL Developer should be used in a production environment, just the fact above. It's nearly the weekend here. Who needs another flame war?

Thanks to Sue Harper for the heads up & confirmation on this factoid from this OTN Forum post.