Oracle SQL Certification 1Z0-071 Course | Section 2: Setup of Our Environment

How to setup everything we need in order to practice and follow along the course.

Before starting with SQL syntax and exam topics, it is important to prepare a working environment that allows you to practice every concept hands on. While the Oracle 1Z0-071 exam itself does not test installation steps, working directly with an Oracle database significantly improves understanding, accuracy, and confidence.

This section walks through several supported ways to set up your environment. You can choose the approach that best fits your system and experience level, while still being fully compatible with the course and the exam objectives.

Video 1: Download Oracle Database XE

Oracle Database Express Edition (XE) is the recommended database for this course. It is free, lightweight, and fully sufficient for learning SQL and preparing for the 1Z0-071 exam.

Downloading Oracle XE is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. Having your own database instance allows you to practice every example, repeat queries, and experiment beyond what is shown in the videos. This hands on repetition is essential for exam success.

The course demonstrates Oracle XE 18c, but you can follow along with:

  • Newer Oracle XE releases
  • Older versions such as XE 11g
  • Full Oracle editions like 19c

All SQL features used in this course behave the same across these versions.

Oracle XE is free for learning and personal use. To download it from the official Oracle website, you will need a free Oracle account. Oracle frequently changes the layout of its website, so using a direct search for Oracle XE download is often the fastest way to reach the correct page.

Latest download link (freshly released XE 21c version):

https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/xe-downloads.html

For XE 18c version use the following link:

https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/xe18c-downloads.html

Video 2: Install Oracle XE Database on Windows

In this lesson, Oracle Database XE is installed on a clean Windows system. The process shown applies not only to XE 18c, but also to older and newer XE versions. The steps are very similar on Linux systems as well.

After installation, the default connection details are:

  • Host: localhost
  • Port: 1521
  • Service name: XEPDB1

To verify that the database is running correctly, SQLPlus is used to connect as a system administrator. A successful connection confirms that the Oracle instance is operational and ready for use.

This step ensures that you have a reliable environment for all upcoming SQL practice in the course.

Video 3: Install SQL Developer

SQL Developer is the primary tool used throughout the course to write and execute SQL statements. It is free, easy to use, and tightly integrated with Oracle databases.

SQL Developer supports SQL, PL/SQL, administration tasks, and data exploration. While other tools such as DBeaver or TOAD can be used, SQL Developer is recommended to ensure consistency with the demonstrations.

SQL Developer is a portable application. After downloading, it only needs to be unzipped and launched. For Windows users, downloading the version that includes the JDK is recommended unless Java is already installed.

A test connection is created using a system account to verify that SQL Developer can communicate with the database. For actual course exercises, system accounts are not used.

SQL Developer – Latest download link:

https://www.oracle.com/tools/downloads/sqldev-downloads.html

Video 4: Unlock the HR Account

The HR schema is the main practice schema used throughout the course. It contains realistic sample tables such as employees, departments, and jobs, making it ideal for learning SQL without risking system level objects.

In this lesson, the HR account is unlocked and prepared for use. This includes configuring the database connection, switching to the correct pluggable database, and enabling the HR user.

You learn how to:

  • Configure a TNS entry for XEPDB1
  • Reload the Oracle listener
  • Connect as a system administrator
  • Switch to the correct container
  • Unlock the HR account and set a password
  • Test the HR connection using SQLPlus and SQL Developer

Video 5: Introduction to SQL Developer

This lesson introduces the most important features of SQL Developer that support learning SQL efficiently. The focus is not on mastering the tool, but on using it effectively to practice and understand SQL statements.

Key topics include:

  • Opening and managing worksheets
  • Executing SQL queries
  • Formatting SQL for readability
  • Viewing table structures and metadata
  • Exploring query results efficiently
  • Saving and reusing SQL scripts
  • Exporting query results
  • Using commit and rollback during data changes

SQL Developer contains many advanced features, but only a small subset is required for this course and the exam. Understanding SQL itself is far more important than tool specific options.

Video 6: Introduction to SQLPlus

SQLPlus is a command line tool included with every Oracle Database installation. While it is not directly tested in the 1Z0-071 exam, it helps reinforce how SQL interacts directly with the database engine.

This lesson shows how to:

  • Launch SQLPlus
  • Connect to the HR schema
  • Execute SQL statements without a graphical interface
  • Resolve common environment configuration issues

SQLPlus is especially useful for administrative tasks such as unlocking users and testing connectivity.

Video 7: Oracle Live SQL

Oracle Live SQL is an online environment that allows you to execute SQL directly in your browser without installing anything locally. It is free and provided by Oracle.

Live SQL is useful for:

  • Quick practice
  • Reviewing syntax
  • Experimenting with queries
  • Accessing tutorials and sample scripts

However, it has limitations. Data is not persistent between sessions, and predefined schemas such as HR are read only. Performance can also vary.

Live SQL is best used as a supplement, not a replacement, for a local database installation.

Video 8: Install Database in a Virtual Machine

As an alternative to local installation, this lesson introduces Oracle’s prebuilt database virtual machine. This option provides a full Oracle Database environment with minimal setup.

The virtual machine includes:

  • Oracle Linux
  • Oracle Database 19c
  • A preconfigured pluggable database
  • The HR schema
  • SQL Developer

This approach is ideal for learners who encounter installation issues or want a clean, production like Oracle environment. It also avoids the limitations of Live SQL while remaining easy to manage.

VirtualBox:

https://www.virtualbox.org/

Prebuilt virtual machine:

https://www.oracle.com/downloads/developer-vm/community-downloads.html

https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/databaseappdev-vm.html

Section Outcome

After completing this section, you should:

  • Have a working Oracle SQL practice environment
  • Be able to connect to the HR schema
  • Understand multiple ways to practice SQL
  • Be fully prepared to follow all upcoming hands on SQL lessons

With your environment ready, you can now focus entirely on learning SQL concepts required for the Oracle Database SQL Certification 1Z0-071 exam.

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