Oracle is a step closer to launching its planned graphical programming environment, designed to simplify development of database tasks.

The company has published an early release of Project Raptor, which enables software developers to browse database objects, run SQL statements and SQL scripts, and edit and debut PL/SQL statements using a set of graphical tools

Unveiled last fall, Project Raptor is due for release on Windows and Linux in early 2006. A version for Mac is also in the works.

Project Raptor is designed to improve developers' productivity and simplify the development of every-day database tasks. As such, Project Raptor connects to databases through the industry based Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) API.

Project Raptor fits into a trend among Java tools and platform vendors of introducing graphical tools that mask the complexity of building enterprise systems in Java. Many are borrowing from a style of development pioneered by Microsoft in its Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE) for Windows.

However, Project Raptor appears to work in Oracle environments only, connecting to Oracle Database 9.0.2.1 or higher and is based on Oracle's JDeveloper IDE. ®

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