How to Use Oracle Select AI for Database Queries

Oracle Select AI is a powerful feature of the Oracle Autonomous Database that allows s to query their databases using natural language. This innovation simplifies data access and analysis, making it easier for non-developers to interact with complex data sets. In this article, we will explore how to use Oracle Select AI, its benefits, and practical steps to get started.

1. Introduction to Oracle Select AI

Oracle Select AI is designed to bridge the gap between natural language and SQL, enabling s to query their Oracle Autonomous Database without needing to write SQL code. This feature leverages large language models (LLMs) to understand and translate natural language queries into SQL, making data more accessible to a broader audience within an organization.

2. Setting Up Oracle Select AI

Prerequisites

To use Oracle Select AI, you need an Oracle Autonomous Database and an AI provider (e.g., OpenAI or Cohere). Ensure that the DBMS_CLOUD_AI package is enabled in your database.

Configuration Steps

• Create a Profile: Set up a profile that includes the schema and tables you want to query.
• Enable AI Provider: Use a token from your AI provider to enable the DBMS_CLOUD_AI package.
• Specify Metadata: Add metadata to your tables and columns to provide business context, especially if they have esoteric names.

3. Using Natural Language to Generate SQL Queries

Basic Queries

To generate SQL queries, simply input your natural language question. For example, asking "How many customers in San Francisco are married?" will prompt Select AI to generate the corresponding SQL query based on your database schema.

Complex Queries

For more complex queries, such as "Find the top 3 baby boomer big spenders," Select AI combines its understanding of natural language with database metadata to generate accurate SQL queries. This involves recognizing like "baby boomer" and understanding the relevant date of birth years and spending amounts.

4. Benefits of Oracle Select AI

Accessibility

Select AI democratizes data access by allowing non-technical s to query databases using natural language, reducing the dependency on SQL experts.

Efficiency

By automating SQL query generation, Select AI speeds up data retrieval and analysis, enhancing productivity and decision-making processes.

Customization

Select AI is designed to be pluggable, allowing businesses to choose the LLM that best fits their needs. Currently, it s models from Cohere and OpenAI, with more expected to be added.

5. Tips for Effective Use

Be Clear and Specific

When formulating natural language queries, be as clear and specific as possible to ensure accurate SQL generation.

Utilize Metadata

Provide comprehensive metadata for your database tables and columns to help Select AI to understand the business context and generate more precise queries.

Regular Updates

Keep your database schema and metadata updated to ensure that Select AI can generate the most accurate and relevant queries. Oracle Select AI is a transformative tool that simplifies database querying by converting natural language into SQL. By following the setup steps and utilizing the tips provided, s can effectively harness the power of Select AI to enhance data accessibility and analysis within their organizations.