SQL-Window: Prev Next buttons

[Patrick Holmes]

The "Prev" and "Next" buttons on the SQL-Window is driving me and my programmers crazy. Maybe we just don't understand it, but the way we use the SQL-Window is incompatible with this feature. I've used [Esc] to clear out the Ctrl-Up and Ctrl-Down in the key configuration area of the preferences, but if I just simply execute a query, the dreaded "Next" button turns blue. Is there a way to turn this feature off completely?

FYI: We use the SQL-Window to type in *many* statements. I use it especially to create long .sql script files that might have many dozens of SQL statements along with comments. Then we can run parts or all of those statements in the SQL-Window, or sometimes we'll run these files in the Command-window. When I've got an 80-100K file in the SQL-Window, I sometimes accidentally find myself in a "next" or "prev" state (I don't know how--I don't believe I press or accidentally, but its possible) and then if I accidentally save the file, I can lose minutes or hours of work. (by accidentally writing over a newer version with an older version of what I was working on.

If you don't have a way to turn-off this feature, please add this as an enhancement request.

thanks,
pat holmes

 

[Marco Kalter]

I have added this to the list of enhancement requests.

Note that if you want to develop scripts, you should really use the Command Window. The SQL Window is more of an ad hoc query tool.

 

[Patrick Holmes]

Thanks for adding to your enhancement request list.

The Command window does not work well at all for what we are trying to do, because it is more like SQL*Plus rather than a text editor. What I do is edit long .sql files (my largest is 78 Kb, 1900 lines, 30 pages long), and then select one or more queries at a time to execute or test. The SQL Window is *perfect* for this because of all the nice editor features such as syntax highlighting. Except that I sometimes get confused by the prev/next buttons, which I can see would be ideal if you were only using the SQL Window to edit one SQL statement at a time.

=================

Also, FYI: I've given my "Cool Tools I Use" presentation (which focuses significantly on your tool!) again at an LAOUG meeting last year, and I'll be giving it again at Collaborate 2008 in Las Vegas this April. If you decide to attend that conference, let's be sure to say hello.

thanks!

pat

 

[Marco Kalter]

Okay

 

[juanian]

Pat,
I use the SQL window essentially the same way you do, with large files made up of different queries. I must admit, occasionally I have made use of the 'previous' button to get a slightly older version of a script (when something goes unexpectedly wrong), and I have also had a problem with the window going back a version unexpectedly (probably due to me accidentally hitting ctrl-up instead of ctrl-home).

I've just changed the key for "SQL Window: Previous/Next" to be Shift+Ctrl+Alt+Up/Down; I'll see if the version stops shifting on me unexpectedly. (I wonder if the key is actually cleared when you use [Esc]?!?)