Database Diff incremental sync blocking application during migration

Problem Statement

When migrating a small Oracle application, the goal is to apply schema changes without taking the application offline. Oracle SQL Developer’s Database Diff tool can compare two schemas and produce DDL scripts, but it currently lacks an incremental diff mode that would identify only new or modified objects since the last sync.

Because the generated scripts are executed manually, any DDL that requires exclusive locks will block concurrent application sessions, potentially causing downtime or transaction failures. Additionally, SQL Developer does not offer a transactional or lock‑free mechanism for applying DDL in a live environment.

Unresolved Decision

Is it possible to perform incremental schema synchronization with Database Diff while keeping the application online, and if so, how can the generated DDL be applied without locking critical objects?

Specific Questions

• Can Database Diff be configured to produce only incremental DDL that avoids locks on active tables?
• Does SQL Developer provide any lock‑free or transactional DDL execution options for online applications?
• What is the recommended workflow to apply generated scripts to a live database without causing downtime?