Release Notes

 

Toad^® for Oracle 13.1

Release Notes

Revised 3/15/2019

 

About Toad for Oracle

Toad for Oracle provides an intuitive and efficient way for database professionals of all skill and experience levels to perform their jobs with an overall improvement in workflow effectiveness and productivity. With Toad for Oracle you can:

• Understand your database environment through visual representations
• Meet deadlines easily through automation and smooth workflows
• Perform essential development and administration tasks from a single tool
• Deploy high-quality applications that meet user requirements; perform predictably and reliably in production
• Validate database code to ensure the best-possible performance and adherence to best-practice standards
• Manage and share projects, templates, scripts, and more with ease

The Toad for Oracle solutions are built for you, by you. Nearly two decades of development and feedback from various communities like Toad World have made it the most powerful and functional tool available. With an installed-base of over two million, Toad for Oracle continues to be the “de facto” standard tool for database development and administration.

Toad for Oracle resources

Toad World is a unique and valuable resource available to all Toad users. Toad World provides forums, blogs, videos, product information, Beta releases (when available), and Trial downloads for Toad products. Visit Toad World at: https://www.toadworld.com.

Two of the most-often used features of Toad World are the Forums and the Idea Pond.

• On the Idea Pond page, you can submit your ideas to improve Toad and vote for or comment on other ideas. The Toad team takes your suggestions seriously, and you may even hear back from one of our developers on the topic. We encourage all Toad users—from new to experienced—to let us know how we can improve Toad.
• On the Forum page, you can ask a question or start a discussion and view all other forums within the Toad community.

The Toad World blog pages feature a broad range of information, including topics of interest to our industry, as well as instructions from team members on how to use the latest Toad features.

The Toad for Oracle web-based training is a perfect accompaniment to your product license. This free training walks you through major product features and explains how to perform frequent tasks. You’ll also see how to utilize time-saving automation functionality. You’ll receive a certificate of completion for each course once you pass the accompanying test.

About this release

Toad for Oracle 13.1 is a minor release, with enhanced features and functionality.

About Toad^® for Oracle® 2018 R2 Editions

All commercial versions of Toad for Oracle are bundled with additional Quest products, based upon the license that you purchased. These bundles are known as Editions and include the following:

Toad for Oracle Base Edition Toad® for Oracle Toad® Data Modeler (free use)	Toad for Oracle Professional Edition Toad® for Oracle Professional Toad® Data Modeler (free use)
Toad for Oracle Xpert Edition Toad® for Oracle Xpert Includes all features in Base and Professional Editions SQL Optimizer for Oracle	Toad for Oracle Developer Edition Toad® for Oracle Xpert Code Tester for Oracle Benchmark Factory® for Databases - Oracle Edition
Toad for Oracle DBA Edition Toad® for Oracle Xpert DB Admin Module Add-on Spotlight® on Oracle Includes Spotlight on Unix/Linux, Spotlight on Windows, and Spotlight on Oracle Data Guard Benchmark Factory® for Databases - Oracle Edition Toad® Data Modeler	Toad for Oracle DBA RAC Edition Toad® for Oracle Xpert DB Admin Module Add-on Spotlight® on Oracle with RAC Option Includes Spotlight on Unix/Linux, Spotlight on Windows, and Spotlight on Oracle Data Guard Benchmark Factory® for Databases - Oracle Edition Toad® Data Modeler
Toad for Oracle DBA Exadata Edition Toad® for Oracle Xpert DB Admin Module Add-on Spotlight® on Oracle with RAC and Exadata Options Includes Spotlight on Unix/Linux, Spotlight on Windows, and Spotlight on Oracle Data Guard Benchmark Factory® for Databases - Oracle Edition Toad® Data Modeler

For more information about the products in your Toad for Oracle Edition and the minimum system requirements for running these products, see the Toad for Oracle 2018 R2 Editions release notes at: https://support.quest.com/technical-documents

New Features and Enhancements

New Features and Enhancements

Oracle Database 18c Support

This release of Toad for Oracle supports Oracle Database 18c. The following new options and features have been included in Toad to support Oracle 18c. See the Oracle documentation for a description of new features in Oracle 18c.

• Alter partitioning strategy for a partitioned table. In the Alter Table dialog, you can now modify the partitioning strategy applied to an existing partitioned table within an Oracle 18c database. To use this new feature, open the Alter Table dialog for a partitioned table. Select the Partitions tab and click the Change Partitioning Strategy button. The Partitions tab switches to display the same partitioning interface used in the Create Table dialog allowing you to create a new partitioning strategy.
• Create User with NO AUTHENTICATION. You can create a user with the NO AUTHENTICATION clause. These users can be used as schemas in that they can contain objects, but cannot be used to log in to the database. In the Create User dialog (Database | Create | User), you can select the No Authentication option to create a user with no authentication. In addition to Create/Alter User, No Authentication is also supported in Export DDL, the Schema Browser Script tab, and the Compare Databases feature.
• Enable Lost Write Protection and specify Shadow Tablespace. For an 18c database, you can enable shadow lost write protection and specify a shadow tablespace to be used. To specify the shadow tablespace, in the Create Tablespace dialog (Database | Create | Tablespace | Basic Info tab) select Lost Write Protection as the Content type. Then for each tablespace you want to protect, select Enabled in the Lost Write Protection field in the Create (Alter) Tablespace dialog.
• Create Role or User with GLOBALLY AS clause. The Create (Alter) Role dialog supports the GLOBALLY AS clause. Select Globally from the Identified drop-down list (Create Role | Role Info tab) and then specify the user to map to this role. The Create (Alter) User dialog also supports the GLOBALLY AS clause.
• Memoptimize for Read. The Create (Alter) Table dialog supports the Memoptimize for Read attribute for tables in Oracle 18c. To enable this feature for a table, select the MemOptimize for read check box on the Additional Attributes tab (Alter Table).

• Inmemory compression for external tables. Inmemory compression is now supported for external tables in Oracle 18c. This feature is supported in the Export DDL and Create/Alter table actions.

• Merge partitions ONLINE. An ONLINE option is available for merging partitions and subpartitions for Oracle 18c. This feature is supported in the Alter table dialog.
• Create snapshot and create pluggable database from snapshot. In Oracle 18c you can create a snapshot in a pluggable database. You can also create a pluggable database from a snapshot. Toad supports both of these features in an Oracle 18c database.

• Cancel SQL in a session. Toad supports the ALTER SYSTEM CANCEL SQL command introduced in Oracle 18c. To use this feature, select a session in the Session Browser and click the "Cancel SQL for selected sessions" button.

Additional Support for Oracle Database 12c R2

Support for Collation. Toad now supports the 12c R2 feature Collation, which controls grouping and sort order for string-type columns. You can specify the Collation property at the column level, table level, or user level. You can also specify a default setting for DDL in the Script Options dialog on the Schema Browser Script tab toolbar. Support for Collation can be found in the Schema Browser, Create (Alter) User/Table/View/Materialized View, Compare Schemas, Rebuild Table, and script generation.

Support for the INACTIVE_ACCOUNT_TIME profile parameter. The INACTIVE_ACCOUNT_TIME parameter is supported. You can specify a value for Inactive Account Time in the Create (Alter) Profile dialog.

Support for HTTP Digest. The Create (Alter) User dialog now supports the ability to enable/disable HTTP Digest authentication. To enable, select HTTP digest enabled on the User Info tab of the dialog.

Create Pluggable Database options. Toad now supports two additional storage limit options for a pluggable database. You can now specify a Maximum Audit Size and Maximum Diagnostic Size on the Storage page of the Create Pluggable Database wizard.

Support for encryption algorithms. The Create (Alter) Table and Create (Alter) Tablespace dialogs now provide support for the following new encryption algorithms for Oracle 12c R2 (or later): ARIA 128, ARIA 192, ARIA 256, GOST 256, and SEED 128.

Enable audit policy by roles. The Create (Alter) Unified Audit Policy dialog now includes support for the by_users_with_roles clause for Unified Auditing.

Support for Oracle Sharding. Toad now provides limited support for sharded and duplicated tables and tablespace sets. The following functionality is supported:

• You can extract DDL for sharded and duplicated tables using the Schema Browser, Export DDL, and Generate Schema Script.
• You can alter (not create) tablespace sets in the Alter Tablespace dialog.
• You can execute a script to create a sharded or duplicated table.

Additional Support for Oracle Database 11g R2

Support for IDENTIFIED USING package_name. The Create (Alter) Role dialog now supports the IDENTIFIED USING package_name feature. To use this feature, select Using package from the Identified drop-down list (Create Role | Role Info tab). Then select which package is authorized to enable the role. You can select a different schema, if necessary.

General

Enhancements to Create User window. The User Info tab of the Create (Alter) User window is now easier to use. Review the following enhancements:

• Related options are now grouped into drop-down lists.
• Dependent options display only when applicable.
• New options have also been added to support the Oracle features listed in the preceding sections.
• Similar enhancements have been made to the Role Info tab of the Create (Alter) Role window.

Enhancements to Create Table window. (Columns tab) The column encryption options are now displayed in the basic view. You are no longer required to select "Display advanced features" to access encryption options.

In addition, a new Encryption dialog is used to provide available encryption options for a column. On the Columns tab , click the browse button in the Encryption field to open the Encryption Options dialog. Select Encrypt and specify encryption options:

• Select an Encryption Algorithm from available algorithms.
• Enter a password in order to use Identified by.
• Select an Integrity Algorithm.

Create Redaction Policy includes policy expression examples. Toad helps you create a redaction policy expression by providing some sample values. In the Create/Alter Redaction Policy window, right-click within the Policy Expression field to select from a number of sample values.

Export Query to Flat File. The Export Query to Flat File wizard is now easier to use. It has been redesigned to provide visibility and easy access to all available options.

Restore desktop defaults. You can now right-click the main toolbar to select Restore desktop defaults. To restore toolbars, right-click the main toolbar and select Restore toolbar defaults.

Compare two cells in a data grid. You now have the ability to compare two cells in a data grid. Select two adjoining cells (side-by-side or stacked), then right-click and select Compare Selected Values.

Sensitive Data Search and Sensitive Data Awareness

This release includes an exciting new feature. Toad now provides new ways to help you easily identify and manage sensitive data. This new enhancement is designed to simplify the tasks related to identifying and protecting sensitive data in your database. With this new feature, Toad can help you implement your existing data protection policies and strategies.

This new feature has two main components: Sensitive Data Search and Sensitive Data Awareness.

• Use Sensitive Data Search to search for potentially sensitive data in your database based on search rules provided by Toad and/or defined by you. Set up and run a search on-the-fly or create a Sensitive Data Search app to run in the Automation Designer or on a scheduled basis.

  When a search process is finished, you can view results, apply Oracle protection measures to the sensitive data found, or export a report containing results of the search.

  To perform a search, select Database | Report | Sensitive Data Search.

  Note: The Sensitive Data Search feature is only available with the Sensitive Data Protection module.

• Use Sensitive Data Awareness to highlight sensitive data as you write code in the Editor or as you create and alter tables in the Create/Alter Table window. By increasing the visibility of potentially sensitive data, Toad facilitates awareness of data protection levels and scope in your database as you work and warns users of the possibility of sensitive data as they access data.

  You can customize the style of highlighting used in the Editor for sensitive data awareness.

  To enable sensitive data awareness, select View | Toad Options | Sensitive Data | General and then select Enable Sensitive Data Protection.

  Note: The Sensitive Data Awareness feature is available in the Professional Edition (or higher) and in the Sensitive Data Protection module.

Additional Highlights:

• The Sensitive Data Search feature is also included as a check in DB Health Check. To enable it, select the Checks tab and filter by Search for sensitive data.
• Run a Sensitive Data Search on-the-fly to protect data when requested by users.
• After identifying columns with potentially sensitive data you can proactively apply available Oracle protection measures as you create and edit objects.
• You can create a Sensitive Data Search app and run it manually or on a scheduled basis or incorporate a search into your DevOps continuous integration / continuous testing process.
• You can create global rules for identifying sensitive data based on your specific data protection policies and strategies. These rules are created and managed in the Options dialog. Go to View | Toad Options | Sensitive Data | Search Rules.
• You can create and customize rules to fit the characteristics specific to your data and database.

Note: The Sensitive Data Search feature is only available with the Sensitive Data Protection module.

JDWP Debugger

This release of Toad for Oracle includes a JDWP Debugger. The JDWP Debugger provides advantages over the DBMS Debugger, including the following:

• With the JDWP Debugger, users can view the values of user-defined data types.
• The JDWP Debugger provides descriptive exception reporting.

• Users can move between call stack frames to view variables in different scopes.

To use the JDWP Debugger, select Debug | JDWP Debugger or select View | Toad Options | Debugger | General and then select JDWP.

Toad provides a JDWP Debug Setup wizard to help you easily configure the JDWP Debugger. To open the JDWP Debug Setup wizard, select Debug | JDWP Configuration. See the Toad Online Help for instructions for using the wizard.

The DBMS Debugger is still available in Toad.

Note: The JDWP Debugger requires Java Development Kit 9 or 10 and supports JDK versions up to 10.0.2.

Schema Browser

Export to JSON. JSON is now a supported export file format in the Export Dataset dialog. You can select JSON from the Export format drop-down list in the Export Dataset dialog. This is useful if JSON is you data portability file standard.

Identify Invalid Synonyms. The Schema Browser now provides an option that, when enabled, identifies an invalid Synonym. To clear the invalid synonym status, right-click the synonym and select Compile.

Database

Preview Panel for Schema Compare Difference Details. In the Compare Schemas wizard, the Difference Details tab now allows you to preview differences in a Preview panel. For objects in both schemas but with differences, objects display side-by-side with differences highlighted. For objects in only one schema, the DROP/CREATE statement is displayed.

• To show the Preview panel, select the Preview check box in the Differences Details tab. Then select an object to display differences in the Preview panel.

Spool SQL - new features. The Spool SQL window (Database | Spool SQL to Screen) now includes two new options. You can include elapsed time or row count in the spool SQL output. Click the "Options" button in the Spool SQL window and select your options from the drop-down list.

Generate Schema Script. Output | Scripts—If you select Create Individual Object DDL Files, you can now right-click within the Top Level Directory field to select either <Schema> or <Schema@DB> as the format.

Automation Designer

Export Dataset action. You can now export a dataset based on a query stored in a SQL file. You can specify the file name and location in the Dataset tab of the Export Dataset action. See the Toad online Help for detailed instructions.

Code Analysis

Changes to Predefined Rules

You can no longer edit the predefined rules in Code Analysis, except to change an XPath Expression parameter value. If you want to change a predefined rule, clone the rule and make your modifications to the cloned rule. You can continue to create new user-defined rules and edit your existing user-defined rules.

Any previously-modified predefined rules will be migrated to new user-defined rules when you upgrade to Toad for Oracle 13.1. Your existing user-defined rules will remain unchanged.

 

Enhancements from Idea Pond

Enhancements from Idea Pond

The following is a list of enhancements submitted by Toad for Oracle users through Idea Pond and implemented in this release.

The Toad for Oracle Idea Pond on Toad World is a site where you can submit your ideas to improve Toad and vote or comment on ideas submitted by other users. The Toad development team has always been driven by Toad customers, and Idea Pond makes it easy for you to tell us what changes are most important.

• To visit Idea Pond, log in to the Toad Forums at: https://forums.toadworld.com. Select the Categories tab. Then click Idea Pond in the Toad for Oracle category.

Enhancement	Issue ID	Link to Idea Pond
You can now include elapsed time or row count in the spool SQL output. In the Spool SQL window, click the "Options" button and select your options from the drop-down list.	TOR-2681	link
Editor: Matching parentheses ( ) and brackets [ ] are now highlighted when your cursor is placed anywhere within the range of the opening and closing brackets. If a bracket does not have a match, it is highlighted red (by default). You can customize highlighting in Options | Editor | Font and Styling.	TOR-2682	link

Discontinued Features

Knowledge Xpert. Knowledge Xpert is no longer available on Toad World. Beginning with release 13.1, Toad components no longer reference the online Knowledge Xpert.

Ask a Question. The Go to Toad World and Ask a Question commands on the Toad World toolbar have been replaced. To ask a question, click the Forums toolbar button to go directly to the forum. To go to Toad World, click the Forums or the Browse Blogs toolbar buttons. You can also use the Help menu: Help | Toad World | Forums. This change is found in Toad for Oracle 13.1 or later.

Integration with Toad Intelligence Central. Beginning with Toad for Oracle 13.1, Toad no longer provides integration with Toad Intelligence Central. The Toad Intelligence Central window is not available and you cannot publish scripts, files, Code Analysis results, and other resources to a Toad Intelligence Central server using Toad for Oracle. You cannot connect to Toad Intelligence Central through Toad for Oracle.