We’ve been getting this question a lot lately, so I thought it is a good idea to write a blog post about it.
In SQL Developer, you work in two ways:
- You edit objects in the database and then you manually create files in a folder managed by Git.
- You edit files managed by Git and execute them in the database.
SQL Developer helps you run Git commands on these files. When you issue a Git command that changes your code base, you have to manually carry over the changed code units to the database by running the scripts.
In Gitora, if you modify a PL/SQL code unit in the database, you do not need to manually copy the updated script to a folder managed by Git. Gitora does that automatically. Similarly, if you issue a Git command using Gitora’s point and click interface, Gitora automatically updates the PL/SQL code units in tha database. Gitora also has a check out mechanism that works at the database level, meaning that if you check out a PL/SQL code unit, no one else can edit it until you release or commit it. This is enforced at the database level. So there are no back doors.
So the advantages of Gitora’s approach are:
– A lot less manual work. Every edit you make is synced to the file system by Gitora. Every Git command you execute, updates your database code automatically.
– A lot less human errors. Copying files back and forth manually is very error prone.
– Much easier team work. Gitora’s check out mechanism prevents others from making changes to objects you are working on.
– Well structured working directory. Gitora creates a well structured working directory with reasonable folder and file names for database objects. The locations of these files are also standard. When there is human decision involved with naming and putting files in the file system, a lot of errors can occur. Gitora prevents these errors.
– No back doors. Gitora enforces that if an object is being edited by someone, no one else can edit it. Version control is not something you do on the side but it is tightly integrated into your workflow and enforced.
– It works with any editor. You can use SQL Developer, SQL Navigaor, TOAD or PL/SQL Developer. It doesn’t matter. Everyone in your team can use a different editor if they choose to do so. Gitora still works.
Yalim K. Gerger