This article is a step-by-step instruction for configuring Oracle Instant Client so that our tools for Oracle could work with it.
1. Download Oracle Instant Client
You can download Basic Instant Client package using one of the following links (depending on your platform):
- Windows (32-bit) - http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/winx64soft-089540.html
- Windows (x64) - http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/winsoft-085727.html
2. Extract client files
Extract content of the .zip archive to the desired destination folder. For example,
C:\ORACLE\INSTANT
3. Add client folder to PATH
Add full path to Instant Client folder (C:\ORACLE\INSTANT in our case) to PATH environment variable. Reboot may be required.
4. Add TNS_ADMIN variable
Add TNS_ADMIN environment variable that tells client where to look for tnsnames.ora file. In our example it will point to the client’s folder.
TNS_ADMIN = C:\ORACLE\INSTANT
5. Add NLS_LANG variable
Add NLS_LANG environment variable if localization is required. For example,
NLS_LANG=Russian_CIS.CL8MSWIN1251
Reboot your computer.
6. Create reqistry file
Create file inst_ora.reg with the following content Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE] "ORACLE_HOME"="C:\\ORACLE\\INSTANT" @="" "ORACLE_HOME_NAME"="OraHome" "ORACLE_GROUP_NAME"="Oracle - OraHome" "NLS_LANG"="NA" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\ALL_HOMES] "HOME_COUNTER"="1" "DEFAULT_HOME"="OraHome" "LAST_HOME"="0" @="" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\ALL_HOMES\ID0] "NAME"="OraHome" "PATH"="C:\\ORACLE\\INSTANT" "NLS_LANG"="NA" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\HOME0] "ORACLE_HOME"="C:\\ORACLE\\INSTANT" "ORACLE_SID"="ORCL1120" "ID"="0" "ORACLE_GROUP_NAME"="Oracle - OraHome" "ORACLE_HOME_NAME"="OraHome" "NLS_LANG"="Russian_CIS.CL8MSWIN1251" "ORACLE_HOME_KEY"="Software\\ORACLE\\HOME0"
Note:
ORACLE_HOME value is set for this example. You’ll need to set your own value. Same for ORACLE_SID and NLS_LANG variables.
7. Register client
Launch inst_ora.reg file adding data to registry.
Ready
Oracle Instant Client is ready for work.