What's New in SQL Optimizer for Oracle 9.2? (4216516)

Stop and Resume the Optimization Process (SQL Rewrite)

This release of SQL Optimizer includes an exciting new enhancement to the Optimize SQL workflow. You can now

interrupt the optimization process without losing the SQL alternatives and test run results generated thus far in

your SQL Rewrite session. This is useful if you need to close SQL Optimizer or shut down your computer in the

middle of a long-running optimization session. When it is convenient, reopen the saved session and resume running

the optimization process, beginning from the point where it was interrupted.

Another important workflow enhancement enabled by this new feature is the ability to increase the intelligence

level in the middle of an optimization process. If you find that the current intelligence level is not generating

better or sufficient alternatives, you can stop the process, increase the level, and then resume the process. SQL

Optimizer will use increased quotas and hints to find additional alternatives without losing the alternatives and

results generated thus far.

Note: This new feature is available for SQL Rewrite sessions only. It is not available for Plan Control sessions

at this time.

Test Run Untested Alternatives (SQL Rewrite)

The Test Run button now includes a new command, Test Run - Non-Tested. Use this command to test run

SQL alternatives that have never been tested. This is useful if you paused the optimization process during the

test run phase.

Note: This new feature is available for SQL Rewrite sessions only. It is not available for Plan Control sessions

at this time.

l This action will test run the remaining untested alternatives in a SQL Rewrite session that includes both

tested and untested alternatives.

Specify Session-Level Optimization Settings

This release of SQL Optimizer provides a way to specify optimization settings for a single session without changing

your default settings.

Note: Settings specified through the Options dialog (for example Options | Optimize SQL | Optimizer) are now

used as the default settings only and are applied to any new SQL Rewrite and Plan Control sessions you create.

These default settings remain unchanged when you modify optimization settings at the session level.

Enhancements to the Test Run Different Bind Values Feature

This release includes multiple enhancements to the Test Run Different Bind Values feature.

l This feature was introduced in SQL Optimizer 9.1 and can be used when optimizing a SQL statement that

includes a least one bind variable.

Display DBMS_XPLAN as plain text. You can now display execution plans using the DBMS_XPLAN in plain

text format. This is the format returned from Oracle. To use this format, in the Execution Plan window

right-click the plan and select View Plan | As DBMS_XPlan (Plain Text).

Save plan as text file. You can now save an execution plan as a text file. This feature is available for the

DBMS_XPlan formats.

l In the Execution Plan window, select one of the DBMS_XPlan formats. Then right-click the plan and

select Save. Select Text Files in the Save as type field.

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Additional information relating to the new features in version 9.2 can be found in the SQL Optimizer for Oracle Release Notes or in the 'New in this release' subtopic in the 'Welcome to SQL Optimizer' Chapter of the Help. (includes instructions and screenshots)