Filters can be placed on data sources and corresponding data source objects to restrict their display in Data Source Explorer. This feature is useful if you have data sources that contain large numbers of database objects. You can apply filters to view only the schema objects you need for the development process.

There are two types of data source filters available:

• Global filters that affect all registered data sources in the SQL Query Tuner development environment.
• Data Source specific filters affect only the specified data source for which they are defined.

In both cases, data source object filters are defined via the Object Filter Manager, through the development of filter templates. Once defined, filter templates can be activated and deactivated as you need them.

Several filter templates can be combined at a global level or applied to a specific data source.

See also:

• Define Data Source-Specific Object Filters
• Define Global Database Object Filters

Define data source-specific object filters

Data source-specific object filters affect only the specified data source.

To define data source-specific filters

1. In Data Source Explorer, right-click the data source and select Properties.
   The Properties dialog appears. 
2. Select the SQL Filters node and select Enable data source-specific settings. The other controls on the dialog become enabled.
3. Click New. The Filter Template dialog appears.
4. Specify the parameters of the filter.
• In the Name field, enter the name of the filter as you want it to appear in the selection window on the SQL Filter node.
• The Database Type pane provides a list of data source objects. Deselect the data source objects that this template filters so that they do not appear in Database Explorer when displaying data source objects for the data source.
• Click New to add filter parameters for data source object properties. The New SQL Filter Predicate dialog appears. 
• Use the Property and Operator fields to supply the filter criteria. Property specifies whether the value is a Name or Schema, and Operator specifies the matching type of the filter syntax. (Equals, Not Equals, Like, Not Like, In, Not In)
• In the Value field, enter the full or partial syntax of the property or properties you want to filter in Data Source Explorer.
5. Click OK. The filter property specification is added to the Filter Template.
6. When you have finished defining the filter template, click OK. The template name is added to the Properties dialog. It can be enabled and disabled by selecting or deselecting the check box beside its name, respectively.

Define global database object filters

Global filters affect all registered data sources in the SQL Query Tuner development environment. When you create and apply a global filter to a platform vendor in SQL Query Tuner, all databases associated with that vendor are affected by the filter, as defined.

Individual global filter templates are separated, by supported data source platform, on tabs in the SQL Filter window. Select the appropriate tab to view existing filter templates or add new ones, as needed.

To define a global filter

1. Select Window > Preferences from the Main Menu. The Preferences dialog appears.
2. Expand the SQL Development node and select the SQL Filter subnode. The SQL Filter pane appears. 
3. Click New. The Filter Template dialog appears. 
4. Specify the parameters of the filter template: 
• In the Name field, enter the name of the filter as you want it to appear in the selection window on the SQL Filter node.
• The Database Type pane provides a list of data source objects. Deselect the data source objects that this template filters so that they do not appear in Database Explorer when displaying data source objects for the data source.
• Click New to add filter parameters for data source objects properties. The New SQL Filter Predicate dialog appears.
• Use the Property and Operator fields to supply the filter criteria. Property specifies whether the value is a Name or Schema, and Operator specifies the matching type of the filter syntax. (Equals, Not Equals, Like, Not Like, In, Not In)
• In the Value field, enter the full or partial syntax of the property or properties you want the template to filter in data source Explorer.
5. Click OK. The filter property specification is added to the Filter Template.
6. When you have finished defining the filter template, click OK. The template name is added to the Properties dialog. It can be enabled and disabled by selecting or de-selecting the check box beside its name, respectively.