Practical Oracle8i: Building Efficient Databases: Amazon.co.uk: Jonathan Lewis: Books

Product Description

In this book, one of the world's leading Oracle database consultants covers the real-world design and development issues most Oracle books ignore! Jonathan Lewis presents powerful techniques -- and errors to avoid -- if you want to build databases that meet their objectives, stay on budget, scale to support growth, and are easy to manage. Jonathan Lewis focuses on helping database designers and developers answer two essential questions: "How should I think when designing an Oracle-based application? And, how can I select the most appropriate Oracle features for my application, taking into account their interrelationships?" Drawing upon fifteen years experience as an Oracle database designer and consultant, he delivers an intimate understanding of the Oracle database engine, and all the guidance you need to use its key features most effectively. Coverage includes: tables and tablespaces, indexing, temporary space, files, views, partitioning, lots, simple and collection objects, LOBs, integrity, PL/SQL, autonomous transactions, RLS, PQO and OPS, replication, fallback, and much more. For every Oracle database designer, developer, and manager; and for any professional called upon to maintain or optimize Oracle-based databases.

From the Back Cover

What is really involved in building effective Oracle database systems, and how do you approach the endeavor in a way that increases your chances for success?

Practical Oracle8i™ offers a real-life approach to constructing Oracle databases--one that is geared toward solving important business problems. This book will help you devise appropriate strategies for database design that takes into account Oracle's technical underpinnings, hardware and user limitations, and tradeoffs between simplicity and efficiency. It discusses selecting the Oracle features needed to perform specific functions and demonstrates how to structure code most effectively for the features being implemented.

Practical Oracle8i™ presents an overview of Oracle that clearly explains the central functions that are key to Oracle's operation. In addition, the book presents the fundamentals of the system, covering the way in which data is stored, packed, and made visible, as well as the dynamic features involved in transactions and calculations. Specific topics covered include:

A discussion of why Oracle projects fail
Leveraging tablespaces
Partitioning
LOBs
Autonomous transactions
Row-level security for virtual private databases
Parallel query and parallel server
The new analytical functions introduced in Oracle 8.1.6

This book also provides a summary of the most useful new features of Oracle 8.1.5, practical tips for tuning performance and testing features, and information on the major space-management features of an Oracle database.

Written by one of the world's most knowledgeable and experienced Oracle database designers and programmers, Practical Oracle8i™ reveals the strategies, techniques, and insights that will enable you to understand the technology's full potential and put Oracle to work for successful database systems.

0201715848B04062001

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

The best Oracle DBA Book on the Market 6 Jun 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Excellent, the best and most coherent oracle book I have read since the original DBA Handbook by Kevin Loney. A practical and succint review of Oracle 8i features.

The regularly updated errata and addendums on Johnathan's website are also particularly useful.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

A must-have for every DBA's/Technical Architect's desk 14 May 2001

At last! A book that tells it like it is!

In the age of The Object, many unenlightened I.T. professionals dismiss the database as a mere "persistent object repository". In other words, a big bucket to put data into. At best this approach results in poor performance - at worse, you're looking at project failure, loss of reputation, dismissal, homelessness, etc.

Jonathan Lewis's book is not a magic bullet to solve all Oracle project ills nor is it an easy read. The first chapter alone covers some difficult ground regarding redo and rollback. What becomes immediately apparent is that databases are extremely complex beasts. However, when you put the effort in, take heed of good advice, and, most importantly, prove it to yourself, there is a much greater chance of going live with a champ rather than a chump!

If you can get through the (essential) first four chapters unscathed, the rest of the book is plain sailing and, to a certain degree, you can dip into them. However, I wouldn't say that the book contains "tips": It contains "pointers to the right direction and away from the wrong turns". Quite often it is tempting to use a feature of Oracle "because it's there". However, Mr. Lewis tells us whether its worth it of not - preventing much potential time-wasting. Also, to his credit, he isn't afraid to speak out: defending RAID 5, debunking Oracle's Objects, and putting RMAN into its proper perspective.

No project involving Oracle should be started without this book being read and understood by all it's key players!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Outstanding contribution to Oracle usage 20 April 2001

By mark.russell@rousselperier.com

Of the many (perhaps too many) Oracle books on the market, Jonathan Lewis' contribution stands out as the most useful to the everyday Oracle practitioner.

There are usually many ways to achieve the same result in Oracle ... only experience provides the optimal solution; I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone that wants to know how to make optimal Oracle solutions and avoid the common pitfalls.