SPA Quick Check Now Available in SQL Performance Watch on Oracle Cloud

Oracle has introduced SPA Quick Check in SQL Performance Watch — a new feature that helps database administrators proactively assess the impact of system changes before applying them to production environments.

This enhancement is part of Oracle’s ongoing effort to make performance diagnostics and change validation more efficient and risk-free within the Autonomous Database ecosystem.

What Is SPA Quick Check?

SPA (SQL Performance Analyzer) Quick Check allows you to simulate and evaluate how a specific system change - like modifying database parameters — could affect SQL performance. Integrated within the Diagnostics & Management features of Database Management, this capability empowers DBAs to:

• Validate changes before rollout

• Prevent performance regressions

• Make data-driven decisions on parameter edits

The initial release focuses on assessing the impact of editing session-modifiable initialization parameters.

Why It Matters

Even minor changes to database parameters can significantly affect workload behavior. SPA Quick Check enables a safe trial run, so you can understand the impact ahead of time, reducing performance risks and improving system reliability.

How to Configure SPA Quick Check

Pre-requisite: Ensure the Advanced Diagnostics preferred credential is set for the target database. Learn how to set it here.

Steps to Configure:

1. Navigate to SQL Performance Watch
   Go to the SQL Performance Watch home page for the database.

2. Open SPA Quick Check Configuration
   From the left pane under Resources, click Configure SPA Quick Check.

3. Set Configuration Parameters
   You'll now configure various options, such as:

   • SQL Tuning Set: Select the set of SQL statements to analyze.

   • Trial Mode:

     • Test Execute: Runs SQL in test mode without changing data.

     • Execute Plan: Generates execution plans.

     • Hybrid: Combines both approaches.

   • Per SQL Time Limit: Define execution timeout in seconds.

   • Execute Full DML: Choose whether to allow full DML execution.

   • Workload/SQL Impact Threshold: Set acceptable % thresholds.

   • Disable Multiple Executions: Option to run each SQL only once.

   • Comparison Metrics: Choose metrics for result evaluation.

   • Use Resource Consumer Group: Specify group if needed.

4. Save Configuration
   After setting the parameters, click Save to initiate the check.

5. Review Results
   The tool will simulate the change and provide a detailed performance impact report.