Benthic Software's Golden v5.5
By Michael Ritacco

Golden 5.5 is a 32 bit multi-threaded ad-hoc query tool from Benthic Software's line of tools for the Oracle Database. The application is designed to be both powerful and easy to use with both the Oracle developer and DBA in mind.

I have found the software to be extremely stable when licensed and had no problems running and editing multiple scripts simultaneousy. I will warn you that the demo version can be a bit annoying. The demo is constantly reminding you that the software is not licensed and requires a few seconds of waiting before the tool can be used again. However, after finding the tool indespensible, the annoyance was very persuasive at gettting me to hand over my money for the license, even before the free demo expired.

Golden 5.5 is supported on Microsoft's family of Operating Systems: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000. I have also been running Golden on Windows XP with no problems. On the Oracle side, it works great with Oracle 7.0-9.0i databases and requires the Oracle client to be installed to function. I have been using the Oracle9i client for a few months now and have experienced no problems regardless of the database version I connected too.

Golden 5.5 is loaded with many powerful features including:

• Support for SQLPlus variable prompting, bind variables (including RefCursor), and calling external scripts with parameter passing.
• Support for EXEC, DESC and CONNECT.
• Support for DBMS Output
• Script and statement timing
• Explain Plan output
• Supported for SQLPlus style SPOOL files and the SET ECHO command.
• Editing of single table result sets
• Colored syntax highlighting
• Schema information for pasting into scripts and queries
• Language specific cut and paste for pasting queries into Delphi, VB, ASP, Java, C++, etc.
• A sophisticated ascii import/export that can handle millions of records.

Of the many features in this product, I found two to be must haves. The first is the ability to collect scripts together into what Benthic calls a workspace. The workspace is a set of tabs in which you can place your scripts and order them. I found this very useful for putting all my performance tuning scripts in the order in which I use them. It is also comforting to know that I will never forget one of my scripts when traveling because if I have the workspace file I have all my scripts.

The second must have feature is the ability to preview and correct dynamic SQL without having to spool out a file. Golden outputs query results in an excel like format removing the need to set column or page formating to be readable. This makes it very easy to see a typo in your SQL just by executing the script and viewing the results. I now find that most of the time I don't even spool out a file any more, I just copy and paste the results (commands) into a new tab and have Golden run all my commands. This has turned out to be a very efficent way to rebuild indexes.

Another great feature worth mentioning is the ability to either run everything in the command window at once or to iterate through a series of scripts in a single tab by using the F7 key. This is very useful when writing complicated queries as you can test portions of a second script in the same window, check the results, and continue writing your main query.

Overall, I would say that Benthic Golden 5.5 is one of the best ad-hoc query tools on the market and includes great product support and free product updates. I can personally vouch for the support because I have lost my license on more then one occasion, and without hassle support quickly sent me another copy.

Benthic Software
www.benthicsoftware.com

License: $35
Demo: Free 30-days