Offline DDL Export (Pro)

Database support

Database support does not imply identical features. Connections and SQL worksheets are the starting point; editing, DDL, modeling, transfers, administration and AI operations depend on the engine and workflow. Check the installed version and the relevant guide before relying on an advanced operation.

Supported databases and feature availability · Connection guides

Offline DDL Export is a Pro feature. It generates local .sql files containing the DDL for your Oracle database objects. This lets Pro users compare schema definitions, generate offline projects, and use project-wide language intelligence without a live database connection. Free users can still open and edit the resulting files and use snippets, but Nexo offline autocomplete and validation remain disabled.

Exporting DDL

1. Right-click your connection in the Connections Explorer.
2. Choose Update offline workspace for a new local snapshot or updating an existing one.
3. Select the target folder in your workspace.
4. Choose object types to export (Tables, Views, Packages, etc.).
5. Click Export. Files are written to the chosen folder.

The exported structure mirrors the Oracle object hierarchy:

ddl/
  tables/
    EMPLOYEES.sql
    DEPARTMENTS.sql
  packages/
    HR_UTILS.pks
    HR_UTILS.pkb
  views/
    EMP_DETAILS_VIEW.sql

Refreshing the Snapshot

When your database changes, refresh the export:

• Right-click the export folder → Refresh DDL Snapshot, or
• Run the command Nexo SQL Studio: Refresh DDL Snapshot from the palette.

Only changed objects are re-exported (incremental refresh).

Symbol Search Without a Connection (Pro)

Once DDL files are present in the workspace, Pro can build the extension’s symbol index from files so autocompletion, go-to-definition, hover, validation, and offline project workflows work without a database connection.

Configure the search paths in your workspace settings:

"nexo-sql-studio.searchPaths": [
  "ddl/**",
  "packages/**"
]

Comparison Workflow

With Pro, use the local DDL snapshot to:

• Compare generated object definitions between environments
• Navigate packages, procedures, functions, types, tables, and views while offline
• Feed completions, hover, and go-to-definition from local files

Sanitisation

Nexo SQL Studio sanitises exported DDL to ensure it is idempotent and safe to re-apply:

• CREATE OR REPLACE used where appropriate
• Passwords and sensitive data stripped from exported objects
• Dependent object order calculated automatically where supported