Free Oracle Learning Tools

This post is one of a series on what I learned while not at Kscope18.

Would you like to learn something from the Oracle technology stack?
Here's a slide probably in a bunch of Oracle employee decks.

Full Monty of free learning tools... #orclapex #plsql #Kscope18 pic.twitter.com/31EB5jmBJ1

— Oracle Over Coffee (@oraclecoffee) June 10, 2018

I think this collection represents the commitment Oracle is making to the developer community, in part thanks to the developer advocates team. Upon seeing these listed together, and considering the amount of work done to keep raising the bar, I've learned Oracle really are serious about engaging with the greater community.

1. quicksql.oracle.com - one of the packaged apps given it's own URL. Construct your DDL/DML really fast, if you're happy to learn more markdown syntax.
2. livesql.oracle.com - it's ridiculously easy to start playing with the Oracle product at this site. Recently I wanted to check some behaviour with a JSON query in the database version above what we had available, and I was able to confirm a database upgrade would solve the problem we had.
3. devgym.oracle.com - I spend 5-10 minutes a week playing 3 quizzes, targeting PL/SQL, SQL, and database design. Sometimes I learn something new, something re-enforce something I'm familiar with, something I'd forgotten, or something interesting the database can do but I might never use.
4. apex.oracle.com - surely we've all been here, playing with the most up-to-date release of the best feature of the a great database.
5. asktom.oracle.com - I learned all my best habits from here, and highly recommend anyone ask a question. Especially anyone learning (hint - that's all of us). It's also a great place to learn how to ask a question.

These are all included in the APEX shortcuts page, along with another learning tool that could fill that 6th spot (besides 18c XE) - the forum. Here I do what I used to do at AskTom - read anything comes through; start listening to topics I need/want to learn about; and here I also get to contribute where/when I can add some of my knowledge & experience. Or if I have a bookmark to a solution someone previously documented.

At the forum you'll find a collection of volunteers willing to help you with your APEX/Oracle questions. Remember, "the #orclapex community is like no other".

ps - we could probably also add the Oracle Learning Library.