Toad for Oracle 2024 R2 Beta

Toad for Oracle - Beta
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We are pleased to announce the Toad for Oracle 2024 R2 beta
Note, the 2024 R2 beta is complete and will be officially released in November. You can still download it below.

We encourage you to participate in the beta program to help us deliver a high quality product. This is your opportunity to participate in the development, direction, and testing of Toad for Oracle. By becoming a beta tester you will have direct access to the development team and product management via the Toad World forum.

Instructions for joining the Beta program:

  • Read the Beta Agreement. Downloading the Toad Beta constitutes usage agreement.

  • Install Toad for Oracle version 17.1 for Windows (Non-subscription) and run it at least once. Do not uninstall 17.1 before installing the beta. The beta only works if the most recent GA version is also installed.

  • IMPORTANT: Do not install Toad Beta into your commercial Toad folder. Just accept the default folders when installing the beta.

  • The beta change log is below

Which version?

If you have a 32-bit Oracle client currently installed in a 32-bit or 64-bit environment:

If you have a 64-bit Oracle client currently installed in a 64-bit environment:

Beta Expiration

Each beta expires after 4 weeks, but new versions with later expiration dates are released often, typically on Mondays. An indicator will appear on Toad's status bar when a new version is available. Click it to download and install the update (No need to remove the old beta first, just install the new one on top of it). It's very easy. In this way you can continue to use the beta until the next version of Toad is officially released.

We encourage you to stay up-to-date with the most recent beta version, and do not hesitate to post suggestions or problem reports to this forum. The development team reads every post and typically responds very quickly.

A Note about Oracle Clients:

  • 12cR2 and 18c are the recommended client versions.
  • 19c and 21c clients will work, but they leak memory with LOBs, and sometimes hang when cancelling queries against 11gR2 servers. The memory leak is not terribly severe, but something to be aware of. You can just restart Toad if/when you need to reclaim the leaked memory.
  • 12cR1 and older clients don't handle XMLTYPE natively.

Toad's no-client option

  • Uncheck the "Use Oracle Client" box on the login window to connect to the database without an Oracle client.
  • Pros of no-client option:
    • No setup required
    • It is a bit faster than using a client.
    • Supported: LDAP, TNSNames.ora, TNS_ADMIN environment variable, Oracle Encryption and Data Integrity, Spool SQL, SSH, TCPS, IPV6, and Oracle Wallet connections.
    • Can connect to every database version since 7.3!
    • Can connect to very old and very new database versions at the same time.
  • Cons of no-client option:
    • Not supported: Oracle client style tracing/logging, proxy connections.
    • If you don't have an Oracle client installed, of course you won't have their tools like SQL*Plus, DataPump, Import/Export, but if you have a client installed Toad can still use these tools, even if you run Toad in no-client mode.

What is this sorcery that Toad can connect to the Database without an Oracle client?

  • The Oracle client is just DLLs (and some other files) produced by Oracle that know how to connect to the database. Toad now contains code that can achieve the same thing. We did not compile Oracle DLLs inside of Toad, or package them together in any way.

The beta change log is below

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Toad Beta Change Log

There will be no more betas for Toad version 24.2
Except possibly a beta with the only change being a later expiration date

The following is a complete list of bug fixes and enhancements for Toad version 24.2, to be released the first week of November 2024.

Bug Fixes

  • Add/Edit Login: TNS dropdown not loaded unless TNS_ADMIN specified Link
  • ADDM/AWR Browser: Current DBID not auto-selecting
  • Administer Tablespaces: Space manager setup fails in no-client mode
  • Alter Unified Audit Policy: "Disable" not working
  • Automation Designer: Export Dataset actions erroneously throwing "Parameters out of sync" message Link
  • Blob Viewer: Viewing PNG data as PDF caused Toad to freeze Link
  • Code Analysis: Access violation if window closed too quickly
  • Code Insight: Some of the icons are incorrect
  • CodeXpert.ini rewritten each time Toad starts
  • Compare Data: CHAR datatypes not synchronizing correctly when tables are in different databases
  • Compare Databases: Revoke Role above the comment for that role Link
  • Connections:
    • "NET: Invalid Arguments" error when connecting to 23ai or fully patched 19c DB with Crypto or Encryption parameters set in server side SQLNet.Ora
    • Access violation if no Oracle clients present and login attempted with expired password
    • First auto-exec action executing silently. Others, non-silently
    • Toad unnecessarily polling LDAP for list of TNS entries when connection is made
  • Create Constraint: Error on "move column down" if nothing selected
  • Create Table: Window locks up when dragging from grid
  • Data Grids:
    • "Pin" icon in Editor showing wrong state
    • ANYDATA access violation
    • DB Object popup editor showing wrong columns and access violation
    • Column headers not always wide enough on scaled displays
    • Fuzzy text on while editing varchar2 fields on scaled displays
    • Invalid filter values raised error instead of "nice" message
  • Database Browser: Can't connect as externally authenticated user
  • DB Health Check: Format error in check for items which cannot extend due to lack of room in tablespace
  • DB Health Scan: Check/Uncheck all does nothing
  • DBMS Output: ORA-20005 occurs with some old Oracle client versions
  • Docking panels: Selected dock label fuzzy on scaled displays
  • Editor:
    • "Display full path as tab hints" stops working Link
    • "Load Object at Caret" does not respect Package/Type load as pair option
    • "New tab" icon colored wrong in dark mode with some tab styles
    • "Replace all" misses selected text if "from cursor" is chosen
    • Access violation after closing hex tab
    • Code Insight not prioritizing ref. integrity suggestions if columns have different names
    • Code Insight not showing after subquery in FROM clause
    • Code Insight not showing fields of implicit cursor record
    • Code Insight not showing join suggestions in subquery
    • Code Insight not suggesting table related via FK constraint:
    • CONNECT command not working in script execution with no-client mode
    • Desktop layout incorrect after dragging tabs
    • Edit command caused ORA-00904 if table named used as alias
    • Errors thrown if attempting to step into Java Source while debugging with JDWP
    • Find Next doesn't advance to next matching text if dialog is opened with matching text already selected
    • FmtPlus.opt file sharing error due to too frequent file access
    • Grid not allowing edits if OCI Array Buffer Size set to Manual. Link
    • Inline parameter assistance copy/paste bad behavior Link
    • Toad hangs selecting text with $ characters when brace highlighting set to "innermost pair in scope"
  • Error on startup if color themes enabled
  • Export Dataset:
    • File selection button sometimes disabled
    • Substitution variables not substituted if SQL contains comments or trailing whitespace before sub variable
  • Export DDL:
    • Auto/Interval partitions not always export according to selected options
    • Not Null constraints missing from script for object tables
    • Object Table Substitution clause left out of table scripts
    • private synonyms excluded when getting script for multiple users
  • Export/Import Utility Wizards: Error thrown if parameter file's folder doesn't exist (Toad should create it)
  • Fast Report: Toolbar buttons disappearing on scaled displays on Windows Server 2019
  • Font Dialog: On scaled displays, resulting font size can be larger than expected
  • Formatting: Fmtplus.opt file sharing error when SQL formatted for internal use
  • FTP: Date errors thrown if Toad's date format differs from windows date format
  • Grid: Popup text editor saving files with uppercase TXT extension
  • HTML DB Documentation: Custom fields from login window not included in output
  • Import Wizard: List Index out of Bounds if opening small parameter file
  • JDWP Debugger: Access violation when connection closed and breakpoint exists
  • Login window:
    • "Invalid Oracle Home" when testing connections and no clients installed
    • Grid reloading and jumping to wrong row after display of TNS Editor
    • Import not auto-checking "save password", even after prompt to do so
    • Import prompting for overwrite if same login present but with different "Connect as"
    • LDAP dropdown not loading after switch from client to no-client mode
    • Password prompt is now resizable
    • Password prompt now shows TNS name instead of value (in no client mode)
    • TNSNames, LDAP, SQLNet buttons fuzzy on scaled displays
  • Main Form: Size/Position not always restored correctly Link
  • Master-Detail Browser: Dialog to migrate to another schema showing "Current Schema" more than once
  • Misc Internal SQL: Not always using SYS. with data dictionary view names
  • No-client mode:
    • "Drop type" gives "drop materialized view" message when running scripts
    • Not finding tnsnames.ora from Project Manger, Support Bundle, TNSNames Editor
  • Options:
    • Temporary folder now defaults to %TEMP% (same location, but now variable can be specified incase it changes)
    • The following files were being created even when empty: Connections.Ini, ConnectionActions.ini, ToadMail.ini, ToadMonitors.ini, SProjManFilterHist.xml, Networkconnections.dat
  • Rebuild Multiple Objects; Field BYTES not found for partitioned tables
  • Recover Documents: Access violation if grid filtered, then recover recent
  • Schema Browser:
    • "DataType not supported" error from Schema Browser -> Domains, if using a 23ai client
    • "Show column ID in grid" option caused lag on views, m-views, and a-views with lots of columns
    • Error when selecting a file item in Favorites
    • List Index Out of Bounds error if attempt to enable/disable constraint that was dropped
    • ORA-00904 "Vector Info invalid identifier when connected to 23c (NOT 23ai)
    • ORA-01791 error displayed when expanding Unified Audit Policies node when Schema Browser is in treeview mode
    • RHS tabs too short on scaled displays
    • SQL error when clicking system tablespace
    • SQL error when listing DOMAINS
    • Stray text remnants after disabling "Show PK" option for materialized views
    • Wrong icon for disabled constraint
  • Schema Compare:
    • Evolved types not handled properly in sync script
    • Excessive data dictionary privilege requirements when only comparing tables
  • Script Manager: "Could not convert variant" error when sending script to TSR
  • Session Browser:
    • Access Violation when opened if "Format Statements" unchecked
    • Blinks on refresh
    • RHS refresh delay is annoying Link
    • Test Filter causes access violation
    • Vertical splitter not retaining position when switching to other windows and back to SessB.
  • SFTP: Private key file with passphrase caused "The password is incorrect" error
  • Single Object Compare:
    • "Type" listed 3 times in the object type dropdown
    • Sometimes missing SYNC script
  • Single Record Viewer: Options dialog not opening
  • Startup:
    • If "Allow multiple copies of Toad" unchecked and 2nd Toad started with command line parameters, parameters not passed to 1st Toad
    • Toad not remembering display if closed while maximized
  • Team Coding:
    • Admin window disabled after TC Installation
    • Filenames with non-ascii characters not handled properly with Git
    • Get Last Version failed due to extension mismatch
  • Trace File Browser: Trace files with "CursorDiagnosticNodes" section cause errors
  • utPLSQL: Does not support multi-schema install
  • Window Menu: Wrong window shown as active
  • Workspaces: Describe Objects window focused after loading workspace

Enhancements

  • Accessibility:
    • Data grid's popup menu is now accessible via F10
    • Window Menu now has "Focus Toolbar" (Shortcut = CTRL+`). This will display a list of available toolbars in Toad. When you select one, the toolbar receives focus. Then you can TAB to the toolbar button that you are interested in and ENTER to "click" it, or ESC to jump out of the toolbar.
    • Window Menu now has "Docked Panels" which gives a list of docked panels (Object Palette, SQL Recall, etc) to move focus to the selected panel
    • Editor: F6 Shortcut to toggle between memo and lower panels is now in Options -> Toolbars/Shortcuts, so you can change it to a different shortcut if you wish
    • The following windows have improved usability with keyboard only:
      • Automation Designer
      • Database Monitor
      • Schema Compare
      • Add multiple logins
      • Edit login record
      • Toad Options
  • Application Logging: Support bundle now automatically included in Logs folder
  • Automation Designer: Improved action placement when double-clicking in palette
  • Compare Databases: Added preview panel
  • Compare Schemas: When types differ because one as been altered, we'll now use ALTER TYPE to alter the other if possible (rather than CREATE OR REPLACE, which fails if dependents exist)
  • Connections
    • Colors can now be auto-suggested based on rules which you can define
    • New Setting: Connection Timeout. No-client mode only. Stops trying if connection isn't made quickly.
    • New Setting: Auto-disconnect after period of inactivity. Prevents Toad freeze/lock due to server disconnects by disconnecting first.
  • Create Constraint: A warning is now displayed if you are about to create a circular foreign key constraint
  • Data Grids:
    • Now crisp and sharp on scaled displays
    • The popup menu has been reorganized. You may have to right-click -> Customize -> Reset to see it.
  • Database Compare: Added preview panel for differences
  • DB Health Scan: Information/Statistical items no longer count as pass/fail. Also, pass/fail is now per check, not per failure
  • Describe Objects: Added a refresh button
  • Editor:
    • Added ability to fold all regions at any level Link
    • Added some "copy to clipboard" options for Explain Plan Link
    • Added toolbar button to toggle "trim whitespace" option
    • Breakpoints panel rewritten for consistency across the various debugger types
    • Caret width is now configurable in Options|Editor|Display
    • Code Insight has new option to include matches that contain the partially typed text (not just start with it). Options page improved also
    • Shift+Right-click on DB Object name now shows Schema Browser popup menu
  • Font Dialog: Now filterable and remembers recent selections
  • Manage User Settings: Added ability to recover specific items from backup
  • Master Detail Browser: Added "Current Schema" option to make MD files portable across different schemas with same tables Link
  • New version numbering system: Year.Release.Build.Internal
  • Options: Advanced options added to Options->Editor->Behavior to help handle Editor text rendering problems on scaled displays
  • Oracle 23ai:
    • Added ability to open pluggable databases in Hybrid Read Only mode
    • Added ability to rename LOBs w/o moving them
    • Added support for concurrent refreshes in MVs
    • Added support for enable/disable dictionary protection
    • Added support for hybrid partitioned tables with interval and auto list partitioning
    • Added support for individual columns in Unified Audit Policies
    • Added support for Logical Partition Tracking. Note, this requires the READ privilege on the table SYS.TABLOGICPART$. Hopefully Oracle will give us some standard USER/ALL/DBA views for this data soon.
    • Added support for read only users
    • Added support for staging tables
    • Added support for Tablespace Shrink functionality in Schema Browser
    • Added support for VECTOR datatypes
    • Added support for VECTOR indexes
    • ORA-41900 handled like ORA-00942
    • Respect Bigfile tablespace default
    • SQL Firewall window added under Administer menu (DB Admin module required)
  • Project Manager: Filter added Link
  • Schema Browser:
    • Added ability to enable/disable Unified Audit Policies Link
    • Added icons to indicate Unified Audit Policy enablement Link
    • Added option to adjust node heights Link
    • Custom queries and filters can now be stored globally by table name (Configurable in Options|Schema Browser|Data Tab)
    • Data tab filter now uses date format specified in options Link
    • Display both Base and Log tables for materialized view logs Link
    • Filter for ROLES now includes an option to exclude Oracle-Maintained roles.
    • When dropping indexes, ORA-02429 is raised if the index is used to enforce a PK or Unique constraint. Now the "Drop Index" confirmation has an option to drop the constraint if this occurs, preventing the error and dropping both constraint and index.
  • Session Browser: Rt-click -> Styles added to main grid/tree
  • SGA Trace / Optimization:
    • Renamed to "Shared Pool Browser"
    • Individual statements can now be purged from shared pool
  • Single Record View: Table name is now displayed when launched from Editor Link
  • Team Coding:
    • Added "Locked by" field in SB RHS and Editor
    • Added option to use OS User or login schema as lock user Link
  • utPLSQL: Version 3.1.1.14 now supported
  • Workspace: Added cancel button to stop the loading of a workspace

The change log for Toad version 17.1 is here

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