Early in my career, SQL felt like an obstacle. I understood the theory but struggled with practical application. That changed when I started using DBeaver Community—a free, yet robust interface that made it much easier to run SQL queries, visualize results, and iterate quickly. With its help, I finally felt like I could bridge the gap between code and data.
I began experimenting with small datasets, trying to insert data and clean up tables across various environments. Soon enough, I was building reusable queries that supported both Test Data Management and Database Testing. This gave me more autonomy in my role and allowed me to collaborate more effectively with DevOps teams.
Over time, I started using the SQL development tool for Data Flow SQL Endpoint in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for large-scale query execution. It enabled me to test performance in cloud environments with much higher fidelity. The combination of fast query runtime and native Database Monitoring features helped me detect slow joins, missing indexes, and caching issues.
For those getting started, my advice is simple: master the ability to run SQL queries using DBeaver Community, then level up by using the Oracle tool for scalable testing. These tools have turned me into a much more confident engineer, capable of managing Performance Testing, Database Testing, and real-world Test Data Management without hesitation.