7 Best Oracle SQL Tips and Tricks to Improve Query Performance

Oracle is one of the world’s leading database technology companies. Founded in 1977 by Lawrence Ellison, Oracle revolutionized the data management industry with its powerful relational database management system (RDBMS). Today, the Oracle Database runs on major platforms such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, and is widely used across enterprises for managing large-scale data.

 

If you work with databases, mastering Oracle SQL is essential. SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language used to access, manage, and manipulate data in Oracle databases. While SQL is relatively easy to learn, writing optimized and high-performing queries can be challenging.

 

In this guide, we will explore 7 best Oracle SQL tips and tricks that will help you write efficient queries, improve performance, and enhance productivity in Oracle SQL Developer.

 

Why Learning Oracle SQL Optimization Matters

SQL is the backbone of database systems. Poorly written queries can slow down performance, consume unnecessary resources, and impact applications. By applying the right Oracle SQL techniques, you can:

• Improve query execution speed
• Reduce database load
• Enhance productivity in Oracle SQL Developer
• Write cleaner and maintainable code

 

Let’s explore the most effective Oracle SQL tips and tricks.

 

1. Disable Unused Extensions in Oracle SQL Developer

Oracle SQL Developer comes with several built-in extensions such as Data Miner and Migration tools. If you are not using them, disabling unnecessary extensions can:

• Improve application performance
• Reduce startup time
• Make the interface smoother and more responsive

 

Go to Tools → Features and disable extensions you don’t need.

 

2. Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Development

Using keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow in Oracle SQL Developer.

 

Here are some essential shortcuts:

• ALT + G – Go to line
• CTRL + F7 – Format SQL code
• CTRL + UP / DOWN – Cycle through recent SQL statements
• CTRL + SPACE – Auto-complete

 

Mastering these shortcuts saves time and improves efficiency when working with complex SQL queries.

 

3. Leverage Drag and Drop Features

One powerful feature of Oracle SQL Developer is the drag-and-drop functionality.

 

You can:

• Drag tables into worksheets to auto-generate SELECT statements
• Create joins visually
• Reverse-engineer relational models

 

This feature simplifies query building and database modeling without manually writing complex join statements.

 

4. Use UNION ALL Instead of UNION (When Possible)

Many developers overlook the performance difference between UNION and UNION ALL.

• UNION removes duplicate records (uses DISTINCT internally)
• UNION ALL returns all records, including duplicates

 

Since UNION performs an additional sorting step to remove duplicates, it consumes more resources.

 

👉 If you don’t need duplicate removal, always use UNION ALL for better performance.

 

5. Control Auto-Completion Settings

Oracle SQL Developer provides automatic code completion. While this is helpful for many developers, some prefer manual coding.

 

You can enable or disable auto-completion from:

Tools → Preferences → Code Editor

 

Customizing this setting ensures a more personalized coding experience.

 

6. Utilize Useful Oracle Extensions

Oracle provides several powerful extensions and tools to enhance functionality.

 

Some useful options include:

• Oracle RDB Extension: Connect to Oracle Rdb databases using standard authentication
• Trace Analyzer (Digger): Advanced SQL trace analysis capabilities
• OrindaSoft: Generates Java source code from SQL statements

 

Using the right extensions can simplify development and debugging.

 

7. Import and Export Data Efficiently (Excel Integration)

Oracle SQL Developer makes it easy to:

• Export query results directly to Excel
• Import Excel data into Oracle tables
• Create new tables from spreadsheet data

 

This feature is extremely useful for reporting, data migration, and analytics tasks.

 

Final Thoughts

Writing efficient Oracle SQL queries requires both understanding and consistent practice. These 7 best Oracle SQL tips and tricks can significantly enhance your productivity and improve overall query performance. Whether you are a beginner learning SQL or an experienced database developer, applying these optimization techniques will help you write faster queries, reduce system load, and improve overall database efficiency. Oracle experts use countless advanced techniques, but mastering these foundational strategies will give you a strong competitive edge in real-world database management and enterprise-level development.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Oracle SQL?

Oracle SQL is Structured Query Language used to manage and manipulate data in Oracle Database. It allows users to create, retrieve, update, and delete data efficiently.

How can I improve Oracle SQL query performance?

You can improve Oracle SQL query performance by using UNION ALL instead of UNION when duplicates are not required, indexing properly, avoiding unnecessary extensions, and writing optimized WHERE clauses.

What is the difference between UNION and UNION ALL in Oracle?

UNION removes duplicate records and performs a distinct operation, while UNION ALL returns all records including duplicates, making it faster and more efficient when duplicate removal is not needed.

Does Oracle SQL Developer support Excel import and export?

Yes, Oracle SQL Developer allows users to easily import data from Excel files and export query results directly into Excel for reporting and analysis.

Why should I disable unused extensions in Oracle SQL Developer?

Disabling unused extensions improves application performance, reduces startup time, and enhances overall user experience in Oracle SQL Developer.