Oracle has begun shipping its free Oracle SQL Developer database development tool, formerly codenamed Project Raptor.

Aimed at Oracle database developers, the offering is designed to reduce the need for firms to buy third-party tools for developing and debugging SQL and PL/SQL code.

The software is targeted at developers performing tasks such as object browsing and creation, running SQL statements and SQL scripts, editing and debugging PL/SQL code, and viewing and updating data.

It provides a set of pre-built reports, and allows engineers to build custom reports related to development projects. Additionally, the tool includes features such as a code formatter and code snippets.

Oracle SQL Developer is available for all releases of Oracle Database 10g and for Oracle9i Database Release 2.

"With our 10g release, we focused on making the Oracle Database easier to install, deploy and manage, and easier for developers to use," said Andrew Mendelsohn, senior vice president for database server technologies at Oracle.

Available for Linux, Mac and Windows platforms, Oracle SQL Developer is free and is supported for any customers with an Oracle Database licence.

The production version of Oracle SQL Developer is available today for download from the Oracle Technology Network.