Why does SQL Developer update Oracle Data Dictionaries while SQL*Plus does not?

Question

I have the following code stored in a script file

create or replace package test_record
is
 type t_test_rec is record(
 name varchar2(64)
 ,value pls_integer
 );
end test_record;
/

When I execute it from SQL*Plus, the *_IDENTIFIERS data dictionaries are not updated to include the declaration of the type. However, if I copy/paste the same code in SQL Developer and run it as a script (F5), the mentioned data dictionaries are updated.

Even if I force a recompile of the package from SQL*Plus, the *_IDENTIFIERS tables are not updated, no matter what method I use (alter package ..., dbms_utility.compile_schema, dbms_ddl.alter, ...).

How can I force SQL*Plus to behave like SQL Developer in this respect?

Answer 1

SQL Developer automatically sets the below:

alter session set plscope_settings='IDENTIFIERS:ALL';

You can use the same in SQL*Plus.

(The default is IDENTIFIERS:NONE.)

• thatjeffsmith: once you have PL/Scope going, you can take advantage of it in SQL Developer like so thatjeffsmith.com/archive/2016/06/plscope-support - much more powerful than text searches on ALL_SOURCE view to find things in your source code