Do I need TNS_ADMIN set?

[dgs!]

I just installed version 15.0.4.2064 and I just downloaded an instant client. I populated my tnsnames.ora file and completed the Connection>Oracle Home and Connection>OCI Library entries. Then I closed pl/sql developer and restarted it. When attempting to create a connection, my database is not showing up in the database drop down.
What did I miss?

 

[Marco Kalter]

You will indeed need to set TNS_ADMIN to the directory where your sqlnet.ora and tnsnames.ora files are located. You can set it as environment variable on the PC, or through Preferences > Oracle > Connection > Oracle Environment Variables.

You also should set an NLS_LANG variable to LANGUAGE_TERRITORY.CHARACTER_SET.
For example: NLS_LANG=AMERICAN_AMERICA.AL32UTF8

 

[dgs!]

Thanks Marco. The primary issue I was having is that I created tnsnames.ora and it was actually created as tnsnames.ora.txt. After I exposed the extension of all the files I discovered this issue.