Finally I decide to write something on Toad for Oracle and I will try to cover some enhanced option of Toad version 10.

UTF8 support (Multi-Language Support)
If you want to use Toad on Unicode-enabled Oracle databases—or where non-english character sets are used—Toad v10 now supports Unicode.

Unicode support for object names and data Unicode extends to most things in Toad except where certain Oracle utilities do not support it, such as SQL*Plus and SQL*Loader.

Enhanced Data Generation
We introduced data generation as part of Toad for Oracle 9.7. This feature allows developers and DBAs to generate randomised data for one or more tables, respecting referential integrity if it exists. Randomised data, however, has its limitations so Quest felt it was time to revamp it. It now allows you to specify exactly the type of generator you want for specific table columns. Realistic data such as names, addresses, zip codes, social security numbers, etc, can be selected. You can even request that the generator be based on a SELECT statement in an existing table. There is also a new Data Preview button that lets you check what the data will look like in the table(s) before generation. Besides still being able to select random or “real” data, you can also decide—based on the quantity of data you wish to generate—whether the operation happens on your desktop or on the database server for increased performance.  

Data Grid
One of the benefits of the Toad platform upgrade was an opportunity to provide new data grids. These new grids offer far more efficiency than their predecessors and are now applied throughout Toad so that you will have a lot more consistency when it comes to a data grid’s behavior.
You’ll notice a new grouping region above the grid into which you can drag and drop column headers where you want to group and sub-group. The data grid navigator has also been moved to the bottom of the grid to simplify the toolbar. Column selection is made easier via a button in the top left of the grid to select which columns you want to be visible. The right-click menu is also simpler and the ‘Save As’ feature has been renamed as ‘Export Dataset,’ which is more meaningful; the selection of file formats to which you can save is unchanged.

TIP OF THE MONTH
Q: How to enable version control within Toad?
1. Install team coding roles on the server via the Server Side Object Wizard.
- The Server Side Object Wizard is located under Database | Administer | Server Side Object Wizard.
- Follow the steps through.
2. Once the Wizard is finished, disconnect all database session from Toad for Oracle and reconnect.
3. Login as the Toad USER that was created during the Server Side Object Wizard session.
4. Go to Utilities | Team Coding | Team Coding Status.
5. Click on “Setting.”
6. Check “Enable Team Coding.”

Written By:

Shahzad Hussain, Database Specialist, QME Software

Microsoft Exchange 2010 Server was officially launched on November 9, 2009 with some new and enhanced features carried over from Exchange 2007.

Exchange Server 2010 delivers improved performance and supports lower cost storage, which makes larger mailboxes more affordable. Some of the improved and new features are broadly falling under the below categories:

• Protection and Collaboration
• Anywhere Access
• Flexibility and Reliability

Listed below are the features that have carried over from Exchange 2007 as well as improved and new features falling under each of these categories.

Protection and Collaboration

The goal of protection and collaboration is to achieve increased I.T. governance compliance with advanced tools to protect communication and manage the Messaging infrastructure.

Some of the features that have been carried over from Exchange 2007 are:

• On premise and hosted protection from virus and spam
• Compliance to corporate and government regulation
• Mobile device security and management policies 

While some of the features that have been enhanced and new with Exchange 2010 are:

• Email archiving and more powerful retention policies
• Automated rights management and protection of email
• Powerful multi mailbox search UI for eDiscovery or Legal reasons 

Anywhere Access

The goal of the Anywhere Access is to help and manage communication load by offering an easy to navigate, Universal inbox with advanced messaging feature.

Some of the features carried over from Exchange 2007 are:

• Outlook experience on Web, Phone and mobile device
• Single inbox for voice mail, email and fax
• Increased productivity with improved calendar experience 

While some of the features that have been enhanced and new with Exchange 2010 are:

• Easier inbox navigation with updated conversation view
• Enhanced voice mail with text preview
• Share free busy calendar information with external partners 

Flexibility and Reliability

The goal is to provide flexibility needed to operate a scalable high performing and easy to administer messaging infrastructure.

Some of the features carried over by Exchange 2007 are:

• Improved installation and deployment scenarios
• High Availability through Continuous Replication
• Simplified management console and command line shell 

While some of the features that have been enhanced and new with Exchange 2010 are:

• Choice of solution delivery with addition of hosted service
• Single platform for High Availability and Disaster Recovery
• Role based Administration and User self service

Written by,

Nitin Kulshreshtha, Senior Consultant, QME Software