The CTRL key, which stands for ConTRoL…aw, the good ole days What keyboard shortcuts should EVERY Oracle SQL Developer user know? How do you find new shortcuts to master, and how do you change them to match ones you’ve already learned in other tools?
These are the driving questions for today’s post.
While some of us may be keyboard ninjas, and others are more driven to use the mouse – everyone has probably picked up a few strategic keyboard shortcuts over the years. For example, I’ve personally JUST memorized the Cmd-Shift-4 ‘trick’ in Mac OS X. And of course we all know what F1 does, right? Right?!?
Here are a few more keyboard shortcuts to commit to memory.
My Favorite SQL Developer Shortcuts
ctrl-enter : executes the current statement(s)
F5 : executes the current code as a script (think SQL*Plus)
ctrl-space : invokes code insight on demand
Code Editor – Completion Insight – Enable Completion Auto-Popup (Keyword being Auto)
ctrl-Up/Dn : replaces worksheet with previous/next SQL from SQL History
ctrl-shift+Up/Dn : same as above but appends instead of replaces
shift+F4 : opens a Describe window for current object at cursor
ctrl+F7 : format SQL
ctrl+/ : toggles line commenting
ctrl+e : incremental search
Configuring Keyboard Shortcuts in SQL Developer
Tools Preferences Shortcut Keys
Search by command name OR the keystroke itself
Some tips…
Sort by category
Pay special attention to the ‘Code Editor’ and ‘Other’ categories
Mind the conflicts when you change the defaults
Be nice – share! You can save your new mappings with your co-workers using the Export and Import buttons
Click on ‘More Actions’ to expose the Import and Export buttons
When I get ‘bored’ or if I think I might be missing something, I peruse the Code Editor and Other categories, again! I’ve picked up quite a few cool editor tricks here. Then I blog about them, like they’re ‘magic.’ #EvilLaugh
But the main tip is this – don’t let your previously memorized keyboard shortcuts SHORTCUT your usage of SQL Developer. If your fingers have already memorized some keystrokes, just re-program SQL Developer to match!
What’s your favorite shortcut?
I’ll use the most popular shortcut mentioned in the comments to round out my Top 10 list above!
