SelectCompare can be used to fetch data from multiple data sources, as long as there is an OLEDB or ODBC driver available for them. One of the most important database technologies on the market is undoubtedly Oracle and SelectCompare can use Oracle as a data source without any problems.

This post outlines the process of installation and configuration of the Oracle ODBC driver, setup of the ODBC data source, and configuration of a connection in SelectCompare.

If you wonder how SelectCompare might be used with Oracle, have a look at the second use case from this post.

 

Download and install the Oracle ODBC driver

For this post, I chose the 32-bit InstantClient implementation of the driver.

Go to https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/enterprise-edition/downloads/database12c-win64-download-2297732.html

Select the Oracle Database Client (12.1.0.2.0) for Microsoft Windows (32-bit)

When the package is downloaded, run the setup.exe. An installation wizard will appear, guiding you through the process of installation.

On the first screen, select the InstantClient option and click Next.

Follow the installation process using default settings.

If everything went fine, you should see the confirmation of the successful installation of the driver on your workstation.

 

Setup an ODBC connection

First, we will start with the setup of the ODBC data source in the ODBC Data Source Manager. Note that you need to have your TNSNAMES.ORA file in working order.

Open ODBC Data Source Administrator (32-bit) and click the "Add" button.

Select the appropriate driver from the list that will appear. Click the "Finish" button.

Enter the name of the data source, any description you might find useful, the TNS service name, and the username. Click "Test Connection"

Enter the user password when prompted and click OK:

When everything is set up correctly, you should see a confirmation of the successful connection. Click OK.

 Click OK on the Oracle ODBC Driver Configuration screen.

You should see the newly created data source on the main screen of the ODBC Data Source Administrator. Click OK - you are ready to use the data source in SelectCompare!

Set up Oracle connection in SelectCompare

 Finally, you are ready to set up a connection in SelectCompare.

Open SelectCompare and switch to the Connections screen.

Click the "Create new connection" button:

Enter the name of the connection and choose its color. Then click CREATE button.

Select “Microsoft ODBC Data Source” and select the provider displayed on the screenshot. Click OK.

Select the ODBC connection that you created in the ODBC connection manager.

Enter username and password and click Test Connection.

The connection should succeed. Click OK.

Click OK on the connection properties dialog.

You can also test the connection in SelectCompare:

Ensure that you save the connection before you exit the screen.

Use connection in your comparison project

Now you are ready to use the defined connection in your project.

Create a new or open an existing project in SelectCompare. Enter the name of the project and select a color you like. Click the Edit button for the Source Query.

Click the CHANGE button on the Edit Query screen:

 Select the Oracle connection you created before:

Enter your query into the edit box and run it to test the results.

Navigate back to the comparison project screen and configure the rest of the parameters.

 

That's it! 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or suggestions.

 

What next?

SelectCompare can be used to compare your data not only between Oracle tables and databases but also with other data sources. For example, you can have an Excel spreadsheet or a CSV file that you would like to compare with your data in Oracle. SelectCompare can do it - why wouldn't you do it?

Some relevant information can be found below - have a look at it!

• Write SELECT statements for Excel
• Create Excel baseline for your data
• How to compare data with a baseline