Oracle instant client

Are you getting an error message?

What data access provider method does Toad use?
Did you install it?  The BASIC is just that:  Basic libraries.

Did you create the network/admin folder and copy the tnsnames.ora and sqlnet.ora files into it?
If not, you'll need an environment variable TNS_ADMIN that points to the location of those files.

"Are you getting an error message?"

when open a toad for Oracle, it just say can't find oracle client. can't see why! I already also run the separate Oracle 12c client installation which add the PATH itself, reboot and still doesn't work.

for the PC at office, it works as someone install the client for me and Toad can see it.

"What data access provider method does Toad use?
 Did you install it?  The BASIC is just that:  Basic libraries."

basic one. someone good at oracle install it for me and he is in overseas .

"Did you create the network/admin folder and copy the tnsnames.ora and sqlnet.ora files into it?"

I don't, this probably the reason ! but you mean the client installation don't fix it for me?

"If not, you'll need an environment variable TNS_ADMIN that points to the location of those files. "

how to do it ?

have you checked  32 bit vs 64 bit?

no. how can I create the tnsnames.ora and sqlnet.ora myself ? is it ok ?

>>> no.

then do so,  if your bit lengths don't match, then you can't use the client with toad


>>> how can I create the tnsnames.ora and sqlnet.ora myself ?

any text editor  will do, there is nothing special about them

>>>> is it ok ?

yes

"then do so,  if your bit lengths don't match, then you can't use the client with toad
"

probably !!

I am still wondering why installation steps don't talk about tnsnames.ora and sqlnet.ora  ?

but what should be inside these files ?

one question related to this:

inside the instant client 12.1 , I see a file called uidrvci.exe, what is it ? I tried to run it individually and nothing happened,  I am expecting some error message, but it doesn't!

>>> probably !!

I have no idea what you're trying to tell me with that.  Either you did or you did not check the bits of each. If you did not, then do so.  If you did, then what are the results?

>>>> I am still wondering why installation steps don't talk about tnsnames.ora and sqlnet.ora  

The instant client is for a "cookie-cutter" installation.  i.e. generic install - drop it in and go.
The configuration of tnsnames and sqlnet files aren't generic,  those contents will vary wildly between installs.  The rest of the steps,  (unzip, set path) are the same everywhere.

>>>  what should be inside these files ?

that sounds like a different question, but as a starter, copy the files from another working $ORACLE_HOME


>>> uidrvci.exe

it's undocumented because it's not for end user use

look on oracle support, there is a document there to explain that it's intentionally not documented

">>> probably !!

 I have no idea what you're trying to tell me with that.  Either you did or you did not check the bits of each. If you did not, then do so.  If you did, then what are the results?"

I can try but not sure, 11gR2 client show me x86 can't be install on Windows 81.

"The instant client is for a "cookie-cutter" installation.  i.e. generic install - drop it in and go.
 The configuration of tnsnames and sqlnet files aren't generic,  those contents will vary wildly between installs.  The rest of the steps,  (unzip, set path) are the same everywhere."

what I mean it they should tell customer what to do at least, no need to do it for them. all those can be set on TOAD

"that sounds like a different question, but as a starter, copy the files from another working $ORACLE_HOME"

this is not, related. but good hints, this is also what I planned to do tomorrow.

"it's undocumented because it's not for end user use
"

do you know if there is problems when I run that myself ?

>>>> I can try but not sure, 11gR2 client show me x86 can't be install on Windows 81.


so - you have a 64bit client?  yes or no?
what is your toad?  64 bit or 32bit?

this really isn't a step you should skip and it should take you only a minute or two to confirm.   If they don't match you will get exactly the symptom you have described.  that is,  toad won't see the client.

If they do match, THEN you can start trying to diagnose other problems.

To use an analogy - you're asking mechanics to fix your car and you haven't bothered to bring your car for them to see it.




>>> do you know if there is problems when I run that myself ?

unless you call it with the correct parameters I don't think it will do anything at all.

there is no reason for you to even to try run it though.  Your best hope is it will do nothing.

"so - you have a 64bit client?  yes or no?"

yes!

"what is your toad?  64 bit or 32bit?"

I have both, I test a lot of TOAD, both 64 and 32 bits doesn't work. the oracle DBA told me sth true ! if I instlal Taod I need to install Oracle client !

however, if I use SQL developer and data moduler, I don't need, it has it's own client

"To use an analogy - you're asking mechanics to fix your car and you haven't bothered to bring your car for them to see it.
"

no , you think too much about me, I knew it is the instant client having problem and most likly the TNSName stuff, I tried that many time and this is the missing part.

"unless you call it with the correct parameters I don't think it will do anything at all.
"

I just double click that ! and it runs for a while and then follow by no message. I just worry about what modification it brings to my system

"there is no reason for you to even to try run it though.  Your best hope is it will do nothing. "

yes !

what i check out today is: from toad, the client path is :

	SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\ORACLE (Oracle Root) 
  ORACLE_HOME_NAME:  
  ORACLE_HOME:  
  ORACLE_SID:  
  NLS_LANG:  AMERICAN_AMERICA.WE8MSWIN1252
  SQLPATH:  
  LOCAL:  
  Home directory  does not exist! 
  Home is not valid! 
SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\ORACLE\KEY_ORACLIENT11G_HOME1 
  ORACLE_HOME_NAME:  OraClient11g_home1
  ORACLE_HOME:  D:\app\xxxx\product\11.2.0\client_1
  ORACLE_SID:  
  NLS_LANG:  
  SQLPATH:  
  LOCAL:  
  D:\app\xxxx\product\11.2.0\client_1\Bin exists. 
  D:\app\xxxx\product\11.2.0\client_1\Bin is in PATH. 
  Client DLL:  D:\app\xxxx\product\11.2.0\client_1\oci.dll
  Client Version:  11.2.0.1.0
  Home is valid. 
SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\ORACLE\KEY_ORACLIENT12HOME1 
  ORACLE_HOME_NAME:  OraClient12Home1
  ORACLE_HOME:  D:\app\xxxx\product\12.1.0\client_1
  ORACLE_SID:  
  NLS_LANG:  
  SQLPATH:  
  LOCAL:  
  D:\app\xxxx\product\12.1.0\client_1\Bin exists. 
  D:\app\xxxx\product\12.1.0\client_1\Bin is in PATH. 
  Client DLL:  D:\app\xxxx\product\12.1.0\client_1\oci.dll
  Client Version:  12.1.0.0.0
  Home is valid. 

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any items  in system path:

D:\app\xxxx\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1\bin;C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath;C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\11.2.0\server\bin;;

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so I don't see any TNS_ADMIN in the system variables but this PC work for my Toad x86.

so this mean ..... . ?

this time I change the PATH to point to my instant client folder, Toad now say  " you do not have any Oracle homes installed!"

what is it now ?

still figuring out why, tks anyway.