If TWO_TASK or LOCAL is set to a tnsnames.ora entry, then the tnsnames.ora file must be able to be loaded by TNS_ADMIN or ORACLE_HOME setting. statement which was executing slowly (the client started to complain). However, an alternate way to use the empty connect string is to set the TWO_TASK environment variable on UNIX, or the LOCAL variable on Windows, to either a tnsnames.ora entry or an Oracle Net keyword-value pair. In Oracle Database 10g, this wait event falls under the User I/O wait class. The bequeath adapter or the empty connect strings are not supported. Please note that the ORACLE_HOME variable in this case is only used for locating Oracle Net configuration files, and no other component of Client Code Library (OCI, NLS, and so on) uses the value of ORACLE_HOME. We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to Toad For Oracle, including Microsoft SQL Server. If the TNS_ADMIN environment variable is not set, and TNSNAMES entries such as inst1, and so on, are used, then the ORACLE_HOME variable must be set, and the configuration files are expected to be in the $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin directory. Naming methods that require TNS_ADMIN to locate configuration files continue to work if the TNS_ADMIN environment variable is set.

An Instant Client is the easiest way to get going.

is a windows executable that needs an Oracle Client to connect to a database.

'(DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp) (HOST=dlsun242) With TOAD you need to have oracle client installed on your computer and you must configure the related TNSNAMES.ORA to connect to the server. If you have a compatible Oracle Client sitting around, you can tell SQL Developer to piggyback on that client for connections - but THAT IS NOT required.

Toad for oracle instant client