Oracle is set to launch Oracle Code Assist, an AI-powered service designed to help developers rapidly build applications using Java, SQL, and Oracle Cloud infrastructure. This new tool will enhance the app development lifecycle, joining the ranks of similar services like GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer. While Oracle has not disclosed a specific release date, it has indicated that Code Assist will be available “in the future.”
“Custom applications differentiate organizations in a global market, but the process of building, deploying, and maintaining these applications is labor-intensive,” stated Aanand Krishnan, Oracle’s Vice President of Product Management for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. “By utilizing Oracle Code Assist, developers can enhance their productivity and ensure code consistency, which aids long-term application maintenance in a secure and compliant manner.”
Code Assist boasts multiple features, including context-based code suggestions, generation of API documentation, code annotations for clarity, and summarizing code for easier understanding. It can also assist with pull requests, code reviews, and the execution of unit and functional tests to elevate the overall quality of developers' work.
Once available, Oracle Code Assist will function as a plugin for popular development environments like JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA and Microsoft Visual Studio Code. The tool aims to deliver expert feedback, enabling developers to build, optimize, and upgrade applications effectively.
Optimized for Java and SQL—two programming languages commonly used for enterprise applications—Oracle’s Code Assist is particularly significant given Oracle's role as the primary developer of Java. This alignment ensures that the AI assistant enhances app development seamlessly on Oracle's platform.
Vijay Kumar, Oracle’s Vice President of Product Marketing for Application Development, noted, “The current market lacks LLMs that effectively address our product use cases. We have tailored LLMs with specific Java libraries, SQL, OCI service APIs, and our development practices. This specialized approach empowers our developers to effectively create performant applications and services.”
In addition to Java and SQL capabilities, Code Assist is also refined using Oracle’s Cloud Infrastructure and NetSuite’s SuiteScript.
With a competitive landscape featuring GitHub, Amazon, and various startups, some may wonder about the appeal of Code Assist. However, its native integration with a leading enterprise applications platform could make it attractive, particularly for industries that prioritize resilience, compliance, and data security. Developers in specialized fields might prefer Code Assist given Oracle’s established reputation.
Kumar emphasized, “Oracle Code Assist is designed to ensure code consistency, allowing organizations to securely connect code libraries and data sources using Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). This approach tailors suggestions to align with an organization’s specific coding practices.”
Additionally, developers can utilize multiple code assistants. For example, they might start with GitHub Copilot and later refine their code using Oracle Code Assist as they approach deployment.
“Oracle Code Assist will enable developers to swiftly upgrade entire Java applications, enhancing enterprise capabilities to improve application resilience, performance, and security by incorporating the latest JDK features,” remarked IDC Research Vice President Arnal Dayaratna.
The announcement of Code Assist follows Oracle's recent deployment of over a dozen generative AI capabilities for its Fusion Cloud application suite.
Updated on May 7, 2024, at 2:45 PM PT: Article revised to include comments from Vijay Kumar, Oracle’s Vice President of Product Marketing for Application Development.
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