Toad Tips & Tricks

for DBAs

Bert Scalzo, Domain Expert, Oracle Solutions

Bert.Scalzo@Quest.com

Copyright 2006 Quest Software

About the Author
Domain Expert & Product Architect for Quest Software

Oracle Background:
Worked with Oracle databases for over two decades (starting with version 4)
Work history includes time at both Oracle Education and Oracle Consulting

Academic Background:
Several Oracle Masters certifications
BS, MS and PhD in Computer Science
MBA (general business)
Several insurance industry designations

Key Interests:
Data Modeling
Database Benchmarking
Database Tuning & Optimization
"Star Schema" Data Warehouses
Oracle on Linux and specifically: RAC on Linux

Articles for: Articles for:

Oracles Technology Network (OTN) Dell Power Solutions
Oracle Magazine, Magazine
Oracle Informant The Linux Journal
PC Week (eWeek) www.linux.com
www.orafaq.com 1
Books by Author Coming in 2008

2
Agenda
Quick Toad History

Toad options & bundles for DBAs

How to leverage Toad for DBAs

Key Database Admin Interfaces & Utilities

Some non-obvious yet very useful tidbits

Some slides, but mostly live demo of Toad

3
 History
Original Toad Freeware

Oct 98 June 99 Feb 00 Dec 00 April 01 Dec 01 Apr 02 Oct 02 May 03

v5 V6.1 V6.3 v6.5 v7.0 v7.2 v7.3 v7.4 v7.5

Initial Quest Already has 70 Debugger, SQL DBA Module. Toad Reports. Script HTML Schema Project Team Coding,
release. distinct Modeler, Oracle 8 Manager, Generator, Manager, Data Grid
Yahoo! Groups and screens. object support. SQL*Loader CMD Line QSR. support for
Toadsoft.com Wizard. Support. advanced data
established. types.

Toad for Oracle Freeware

Update July 05

Nov 03 July 04 June 05 Oct 05 Oct 06 Jun 07 Nov 07 Apr 08

v7.6 v8.0 v8.5 v8.6 v9.0 v9.1 v9.5 v9.6

Session XML Support, JIT Debugging, Re-designed Single Merged Policy Manager. Integration with Debugger into
Browser, CodeXpert, Citrix, RAC, Modeler, M/D Brower, Editor. Action Recall. SQL Optimizer 7.2 Standard, Schema
new Script Debugger. enhanced 10g New Reporting Engine. Improved Toad Tips Debugger, Profiler, Browser merged
CodeXpert Vista support. Code Xpert with DB Browser,
toolbars. Rebranded support.
integration. enhancements. integration with
Toad for Oracle StatsPack Browser QCTO and TDM,
ASM, ADDM, AWR
Mgt Oracle 11g Vulnerability
support. Assessment in
Health Check
Alternatives
1. Freeware
2. Toad for Oracle
3. Toad for Oracle +
DB Admin Module Lacks several dozen key
DBA oriented features!!!
4. Toad DBA Suite
for Oracle

1. Toad For Oracle Xpert

2. Toad DB Admin Module
3. Toad Data Modeler
4. Benchmark Factory
5. Spotlight on Oracle!!!
TOAD DBA Suite for Oracle
Tuning
Checklist
 DB Menus

New DB Browser
Eliminates need
for most of these!
Outline
Options
General
Startup
Executables
Windows
RMAN Templates

DB Browser
Reload from tnsnames
Right Hand Mouse Menu
Tree-view of non-schema objects
Subset portion of Schema Browser
Server & Multi-Select Cumulative Totals
Outline
Session Browser
What happened to Kill/Trace screen
Configure, configure, configure
New top-level Waits tab
Wait hyper-links (displays info)
Long-Ops

Script Runner
Organize your scripts
Load into Editor
Run in place & via Quest Script Runner
Place useful scripts into main menu list
Combine scripts to create new ones
Outline
Health Check
Can do multiple databases at once
New Vulnerability Assessment (VA)
New un/select by major category
User can adjust the Params
Can schedule & email results

Log Miner
Filter
Options -> Undo Operation
Send SQL to Editor
Use Save As for undo commands
***VERY POWERFUL UTILITY***
Outline
TKPROF Interface
Local files & FTP interface
Handy but see next item

Trace File Browser

For those who prefer wait event analysis based
upon drilling into Oracle Instrumentation Data
Why pay for $$$ for Hotsos Profiler ???
Tree-view into trace file
SQL Statement, Explain Plan, Raw Data
Query Summary graph
Trace file header
Open in external editor but why
Outline
Stats Pack Browser
Nice, simple GUI to massive info pool
Offers Wait Event Advice (to 10 events)
Can run standard stats pack report
Can schedule collections
Can manage snapshots

AWR Browser
Same as above
But must have OEM diagnostic pack
Must use another screen for reports
ADDM/AWR Reports
That screen also offers Baseline mgmnt
Outline
UNIX Monitor
Database Monitor
Database Probe
Index Monitoring
HTML Schema Doc Generator
DBMS Redefinition Wizard
Compare Data
Compare Schemas
Compare Databases
SGA Trace Optimization
Top Session Finder
RAC Toad does ASM & RAC too !!!
 Thank you
Please offer any questions or comments

Remember:

Like the old Prego spaghetti sauce TV commercial Its in there

Toads DBA options & bundles makes Toad = SQL Developer + OEM

Test Drive Today: The Evaluation Copy Activates All Toad Features!!!

Toad World: The single web portal for all things Toad

http://www.toadworld.com
15