I want to address performance issues with large amounts of data. When I run queries that return lakhs or millions of rows, Oracle SQL Developer sometimes freezes, takes time to load, or even crashes compared to other tools such as DBeaver or Microsoft SQL Server. The interface is fine, but as I mentioned, sometimes it crashes or freezes, so that is the improvement I think is needed.
The downsides of Oracle SQL Developer include hard typing. It is not similar to another relational database such as MySQL. I need to define the object that I will receive even when I create a stored procedure function. I need to specify the structure that I will retrieve. For example, in SQL Server, I can do a query select as many times. For Oracle SQL Developer, I need to create the object that I will retrieve. As I mentioned, it is hard typing, and I think it is important and very similar to some programming languages such as Java or any programming language that can use object-oriented programming.
Associate Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Consultant
Top 10
Aug 29, 2025
Oracle SQL Developer has disadvantages, such as the inability to execute or debug a query in a stored procedure, which is something we had in TOAD, a licensed tool with a richer feature set. So, we're dealing with the limitations of Oracle SQL Developer. Other than the debugging feature, I wish Oracle SQL Developer had better connectivity similar to TOAD, where we could simply input the DNS name without repeatedly entering passwords. Although there is a save option in Oracle SQL Developer, TOAD had a more developer-friendly interface, which I miss. The debugging functionality was much more convenient and smooth in TOAD compared to Oracle SQL Developer. I find Oracle SQL Developer less interactive and less developer-friendly, particularly when it comes to debugging, which was easier in TOAD.
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.
I would like to see better tuning modules. It could also be more intuitive, easier to use, not so complicated finding the things you need to do, and support background processes better.
Senior Database Consultant at Performing Databases
Consultant
Jan 28, 2018
I think it would be great to have an overview over the sessions it opens so that we could easily see and control which connections to the database we want to keep open, which ones are hanging; and it would be great to make them independent from each other.
Oracle SQL Developer provides tools for efficient database management, supports data modeling, query formatting, and offers strong Oracle integration. It's crucial for PL/SQL development, enabling debugging, testing, and report generation within a modular interface, enhancing productivity in data environments. Oracle SQL Developer is a comprehensive tool for database migration, querying, and PL/SQL development, always prioritizing user-friendly experiences. It enables seamless transformation...
I want to address performance issues with large amounts of data. When I run queries that return lakhs or millions of rows, Oracle SQL Developer sometimes freezes, takes time to load, or even crashes compared to other tools such as DBeaver or Microsoft SQL Server. The interface is fine, but as I mentioned, sometimes it crashes or freezes, so that is the improvement I think is needed.
The downsides of Oracle SQL Developer include hard typing. It is not similar to another relational database such as MySQL. I need to define the object that I will receive even when I create a stored procedure function. I need to specify the structure that I will retrieve. For example, in SQL Server, I can do a query select as many times. For Oracle SQL Developer, I need to create the object that I will retrieve. As I mentioned, it is hard typing, and I think it is important and very similar to some programming languages such as Java or any programming language that can use object-oriented programming.
Oracle SQL Developer has disadvantages, such as the inability to execute or debug a query in a stored procedure, which is something we had in TOAD, a licensed tool with a richer feature set. So, we're dealing with the limitations of Oracle SQL Developer. Other than the debugging feature, I wish Oracle SQL Developer had better connectivity similar to TOAD, where we could simply input the DNS name without repeatedly entering passwords. Although there is a save option in Oracle SQL Developer, TOAD had a more developer-friendly interface, which I miss. The debugging functionality was much more convenient and smooth in TOAD compared to Oracle SQL Developer. I find Oracle SQL Developer less interactive and less developer-friendly, particularly when it comes to debugging, which was easier in TOAD.
Oracle SQL Developer could improve the speed, it is a bit slow.
There is room for improvement in the Real Time SQL Monitoring.
The competing products have more features.
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.
I would like to see better tuning modules. It could also be more intuitive, easier to use, not so complicated finding the things you need to do, and support background processes better.
If they had something on the Web then you wouldn't need to install it, just query, like Enterprise Manager.
Although the GUI is nice, it could still use improvement, a better user interface.
I would like to see it support NoSQL database.
There are many additional features I would like to see. The main one would be installation with an installer.
I think it would be great to have an overview over the sessions it opens so that we could easily see and control which connections to the database we want to keep open, which ones are hanging; and it would be great to make them independent from each other.