Does Optimizer use Oracle system stat tables (AWR tables and views)? And if so do we need the Oracle license for this?
1. SQL Optimizer doesn't create stat table in your database. It will use Oracle's system stat tables (specifically, they are the AWR tables/views) in certain modules that need access to these statistics and here is the list of modules/features in the product that needs access:
- Under Optimize Indexes, if you choose to collect SQL from AWR
- Under Analyze Impact (v8.6), if you choose to collect SQL from AWR.
Note that those statistics tables/views are needed only if you want to collect SQL from AWR. There are alternative ways to get SQL in those modules. For example, you can get SQL from Foglight Performance Analysis Repository if you have it set up, or from SQL Area or be scanning your source code directly. So, the AWR access is only optional.
2. You do need to comply with Oracle's license agreement. Using SQL Optimizer doesn't grant you extra features in Oracle as the product only provide solution based on your available features in Oracle. To help clarify the need of a license, we do have a warning window to tell users about it in the product when users try to access AWR through SQL Optimizer for the first time. (see attached screenshot)
