This is a book about putting Java to work in the Oracle database. It concentrates on real-world applications that developers can put to immediate use in their day-to-day jobs and, in addition, gives in-depth consideration to the question of when it is appropriate to use Java from a performance perspective (including benchmarks). The examples in the book clearly distinguish between situations where:
Java can provide functionality that PL/SQL cannot. We exploit Java's capabilities for accessing system resources outside the database - such as operating system commands and network sockets. We also make use of powerful Java Utilities for messaging and generating graphics. For example, we develop an application whereby a pie chart image is generated from a query, and then automatically distributed to interested parties (using JavaMail) Java can be used to smoothly complement the programming capability of PL/SQL. An example here would be the use of PL/SQL packages to handle complex data types and schedule tasks in the database, in conjunction with the file transfer (FTP) or compression capabilities of Java.
The book is divided into four sections:
Section I is a fast-paced Java tutorial for PL/SQL programmers
Section II covers database access with JDBC and SQLJ and shows how to smoothly and correctly convert between Java and native SQL data types
Section III is the real heart of the book, where what has been learned is applied to practical problem solving with Java and PL/SQL
Section IV takes a detailed look at performance issues. Having considered Java application tuning and SQL tuning separately, we take a detailed look behind the scenes of Java database access and try to illustrate how you should choose between Java and PL/SQL for database operations
Bjarki Hólm is a software engineer. Bjarki works as one of two chief system architects for Vyre Corporation. His current work includes the development of Vyre's new generation of content management systems, using J2EE and XML technologies. Bjarki's main areas of technical interest include Java technologies, XML, and Oracle.
John Carnell is currently working as a staff consultant with the Centare Group, a leading provider of e-software solutions. Johns favourite topic of discussion is component-based, n-tier architectures. John has extensive experience with Microsoft, Oracle and Java technologies. He can be reached at john_carnell@yahoo.com.
Ben Marcotte received a BS in Biology from the University of Oregon in 1994. In his progress from a research biologist to a computational biologist to a sysadmin to a web developer, many topics and technologies have held his interest, but presently Java, Oracle, XML and PHP garner his attention.
Jaeda Goodman is a Principal Software Engineer at Keane. After a degree in Philosophy and an MSc in Cognitive Science, she moved into the world of IT, focusing on Oracle data warehousing. For the last few years she has been concentrating on Java technologies, and has started specialising in J2EE after having reluctantly had to abandon her quest to become an InfoBus expert.
Kevin Mukhar has dabbled in programming for many years, and has been a professional programmer for almost 6 years. For the past 4 years he's worked primarily on providing web based services using Java in a web server with an Oracle database on the backend.
Mauricio Naranjo is a software engineer from Colombia, South America. He currently works as a software architect at the Research & Development Division of Open Intl. Systems Corp. His main focus is on distributed computing, Internet technologies, OO techniques and software architecture. Mauricio can be reached at: mauricio_naranjo@hotmail.com or mnaranjo@open.com.co.
Mark Piermarini has been working for Oracle for the past two years
focusing mainly on Java and Internet technologies. Prior to Oracle, he was with a large consulting company for a few years; this allowed him to work on document imaging and financial systems for state/local governments and universities.
Anand Raaj is a Principal Consultant with QED Solutions Inc., a Houston based consulting firm, specializing in Oracle and web technology. He has nine years of experience in developing and implementing Oracle based applications. He is an Oracle Certified Professional and he presents regularly at regional and national conferences (Oracle user groups). He is also a Sun Certified Java Programmer.
Sant Singh is currently working with Cymbal Corporation, California, USA as a System Analyst. He has 5 years of experience in Client/Server and Internet software development environment. His Area of specialization is Objected Oriented Analysis and Design with Java and Database Design and Development with Oracle and SQL Server.
Tomas Stubbs has been developing and designing commercial software since 1989 and for most of that time he has specialised in Oracle. He currently works both as an independent contractor and as Technical Director for Firebrand Software Ltd., a software product development company which he co-founded with three others. He can be reached at tstubbs@firebrandsoftware.com.
