Oracle PL/SQL Programming (Nutshell Handbooks) - Softcover

Steven Feuerstein

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1565921429 ISBN 13: 9781565921429

Publisher: O'Reilly Media, 1993

Synopsis

Oracle is the most popular database management system in use today, and PL/SQL plays a pivotal role in current and projected Oracle products and applications. PL/SQL is a relatively new programming language providing procedural extensions to the SQL relational database language and to an ever-growing number of Oracle development tools, including SQL*Plus, Oracle Forms, Oracle Graphics, Oracle Reports, and Oracle Developer 2000 (formerly the Cooperative Development Environment (CDE)). It offers a myriad of data types, and such features as cursors, loops, conditional and sequential control statements, exception handlers, records, tables, and constructs for developing modular code (functions, procedures, and packages). Originally a rather limited tool, PL/SQL is now a mature and effective language for developers.As more and more Oracle customers move from the mainframe to client- server configurations, PL/SQL is becoming ever more crucial. It provides the foundation for the code used to distribute processing and transactions across the network.PL/SQL allows the developer to:

• Design powerful and easy-to-use GUI interfaces in products like Oracle Forms and Oracle Graphics
• Build complex reports and long-running batch processes
• Implement critical business rules in database triggers and stored procedures

Although PL/SQL is very important to Oracle customers, it has not received the attention -- by Oracle Corporation and outside vendors and authors -- that it deserves. The only book previously available on PL/SQL is the overly concise Oracle reference manual. Training courses tend to focus on the flashy side of the new GUI tools and ignore the more complicated PL/SQL programming that is so vital to production applications.Oracle PL/SQL Programming fills a huge gap in the Oracle market. The book provides developers with a single, comprehensive guide to building applications with PL/SQL -- and building them the right way. It's packed with strategies, code architectures, tips, techniques, and fully realized code. The book comes with a disk containing many examples of PL/SQL programs that readers can use immediately or as starting points for further development.Oracle PL/SQL Programming is divided into six parts:Part I introduces PL/SQL, its many versions, the environments in which it operates, PL/SQL language fundamentals, and effective coding style. Part II describes basic PL/SQL statements for variables, cursors, conditional and sequential control, loops, exception handling, records, and tables. Part III describes all of the built-in (predefined) PL/SQL functions and procedures -- string, date, number, and miscellaneous as well as the built-in packages that come with PL/SQL. Part IV describes how to modularize your PL/SQL programs using blocks, procedures, functions, and packages.Part V describes how to debug PL/SQL programs and manage code in the database. It also contains a summary of tips for using PL/SQL most effectively.Part VI contains appendices summarizing the contents of the disk and the calling of stored procedures from Version 1.1.

About this title

From the Back Cover

ORACLE PL/SQL Programming is the first book devoted exclusively to the PL/SQL language, a rich procedural extension to the Oracle RDBMS and to SQL. You'll get the basics - datatypes, control statements, exception handlers, records, and built-in functions. Beyond these basics, you'll learn the most advanced and powerful language constructs, including PL/SQL tables, cursor variables, and the wide array of built-in packages that extend PL/SQL. The book provides numerous, real-world examples and dozens of utilities you can put to use in your own applications. It also offers guidelines for an effective coding style, as well as the tips and techniques necessary to build modular, maintainable applications.

About the Author

Steven Feuerstein is considered one of the world's leading experts on the Oracle PL/SQL language. He is the author or coauthor of Oracle PL/SQL Programming, Oracle PL/SQL Best Practices, Oracle PL/SQL Programming: Guide to Oracle8i Features, Oracle PL/SQL Developer's Workbook, Oracle Built-in Packages, Advanced Oracle PL/SQL Programming with Packages, and several pocket reference books (all from O'Reilly & Associates). Steven is a Senior Technology Advisor with Quest Software, has been developing software since 1980, and worked for Oracle Corporation from 1987 to 1992.

Edition details

• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 1565921429
• ISBN 13: 9781565921429
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 916