dbSaint by Saint Technologies Corporation

The development for dbSaint was started in Jan 2003. Frustrated by repeated budget cuts since .com bubble burst era, one of the founders of dbSaint tried to explore the available tools market to find a product which was affordable and easy to use and which can pass the IT managers budget and ROI test. Having found none, the idea to create dbSaint was born.

TOAD - Quest Software ( Orafaq review )
RapidSQL - Embarcadero ( Orafaq review )
SQLNavigator - Quest ( Orafaq review )
SQL Programmer 2001 for Oracle - BMC (recently purchased from Sylvain Faust) ( Orafaq review )
ManageIT SQL-Station - CA (Computer Associates)
Expediter/SQL - Compuware
PL/SQL Developer - Allround Automation ( Orafaq review )
Golden, PL Edit, GoldView, GoldLoad - Benthic Software (shareware)
EZSQL - John Dorlon( Orafaq review )
Keeptool (Hora, ER-Diagrammer, PL/SQL-Debugger)

SQL Editor
The SQL Editor splits the window into two sections. The top half is used for query entry and the bottom section can display either: Data, Explain Plan, Autotrace, Script Output or DMBS Output information. The behaviour of this window is similar to many other products in the marketplace, which makes it very easy to be productive with a minimum of re-learning. All standard editing functions are provided, including opening and saving files, cut/copy/paste, converting case and search & replace.

Query result sets can be exported to a variety of target formats including the ever-popular MS Excel, Text, XML and others. In fact, the export feature is particularly well implemented and very flexible.

Schema Explorer
The schema explorer within dbSaint allows users to navigate within the chosen database viewing all the common object types such as Tables, Users, Materialized Views, Clusters, etc (20 different types in fact). A split pane window presents the list of chosen object types on the left, whilst the right-hand side dynamically adjusts to a series of sub-tabs appropriate for the chosen object. This provides a quick way of accessing a wealth of information.

In addition to this various buttons appear to provide access to appropriate functionality. For example when viewing Users buttons allow you to: Generate DDL for the selected user, Create a new user, Alter the properties of the user, Drop the user, Lock or Unlock the user and filter the list of displayed users. The various sub-tabs on the right-hand side then provide additional functionality via their own sets of buttons.

Session Explorer
The session explorer component of dbSaint presents a hierarchical view of sessions within the database instance. The top level of the hierarchy can be changed between program, user, status, server, type and OS user - the net result is a logical grouping to suit your specific requirements. Additionally filtering can be applied to the tree to hide unnecessary session. A split pane window allows the lower half of the screen to provide detailed information for any specifically selected session, such as the current statement being executed, locks, RBS usage, waits, etc. The session explorer also provides overall lock and RBS usage information. Options to enable/disable tracing, disconnect and kill sessions completes the functionality. In summary, the Session Explorer contains every piece of functionality that you could expect to find in such a tool.

Procedure Editor
There is a procedure editor provided within dbSaint, however it is not as well featured as other products. In particular, the debugging functionality, such as breakpoints, watches and step control is still being implemented. A navigator tree on the left side of the screen provides quick access to procedures and functions within packages, although does not appear to work with nested functions/procedures. Therefore, whilst the procedure editor certainly has potential it isn't currently practical for users needing to debug stored procedures, although for the occasional inspection / simple modification it would be ok.

Other Oracle Functionality
In addition to all of the above there is still more functionality with dbSaint. Firstly, a large number of object creation wizards are provided covering 18 different object types (Tables, Users, Rollback Segments, etc). All of these wizards provide the ability to display the SQL that would be executed based on the user input - allowing for review and retention.

Secondly, screens are provided to display all Oracle Parameters, NLS Parameters and information about the Control Files. These windows are read-only but provide all required information, including the description associated with each parameter.

Next, a Master/Detail Browser allows you to traverse the database by starting at one table any progressively linking to associated tables - determined by the referential integrity defined within the database. The data in each table can be updated, deleted or even inserted. The first table can have filtering and/or sorting applied to any column and subsequent detail tables can have sorting applied to them.

Miscellaneous Utilities
A built in FTP application is included - an invariably useful feature when working with Oracle on Unix/Linux platforms. The FTP application has all typical functions including transferring of files in ASCII and Binary, directory creation/deletion, etc.

For 1-5 users dbSaint costs $US99 per seat, 6-25 users is $US85 per seat and 26+ users is $US79 per seat. Also a site license is available for $US15,000 and a corporate (multi-site single organization) license is $US25,000. The licenses all include support and free upgrades for a 12-month period.

Furthermore, dbSaint is totally free for personal, educational and charitable purposes - simply contact their sales team for a licence key. For corporate situations the product comes with a 90-day trial, which allows a good assessment of the product and then there is also a 90-day money back guarantee even after the product is purchased - effectively allowing a half-year trial.