Oracle Database 10g PL/SQL 101 (Oracle Press) [Paperback]

Christopher Allen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072255404 | ISBN-13: 978-0072255409 | Publication Date: August 10, 2004 | Edition: 1

Obtain the solid foundation you need to become an effective database programmer with this nuts-and-bolts PS/SQL book from Oracle Press. Step-by-step coverage includes storing, retrieving, and manipulating data, and a broad range of SQL and PL/SQL functions and tools. Real-life examples and hands-on projects help you see how to apply what you have learned.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get The Ins-and-Outs of SQL and PL/SQL From an Oracle Expert

Perform database functions quickly and easily using the comprehensive information in this step-by-step guide. Oracle professional Christopher Allen begins with database basics and progresses to plain-language explanations and real-world examples of SQL statements and PL/SQL programs. You’ll learn how to manage, query, and manipulate data, use SQL*Plus, create SQL functions, and write practical PL/SQL applications. Review questions, chapter summaries, and hands-on projects will have you understanding and exploiting the powerful features of Oracle Database 10g in no time.

• Create tables, rows, records, columns, and fields
• Store text, numbers, dates, pictures, and soundfiles in tables and columns
• Define, manipulate, retrieve, and delete data, using SQL commands
• Select, sort, and filter records with SQL functions and procedures
• Write SQL commands to declare variables using anchored types
• Use SAVEPOINT and ROLLBACK commands to ensure multilevel undo
• Perform time-based and hierarchical data queries
• Edit and reuse commands in script files, using the SQL*Plus program
• Use PL/SQL views, sequences, procedures, functions, and packages
• Use triggers to automate auditing, security, and maintenance tasks

About the Author

Christopher Allen (Santa Monica, CA) has been a database professional for almost 20 ears. He is an OCP DBA and an OCP Application Developer and has worked on numerous Oracle Financials implementations. In addition, he has taught several hundred computer classes to adults, resulting in extensive experience communicating technical information in ways that are easy to absorb and easy to remember. His published works include the Oracle Certified Professional Application Developer Exam Guide (co-author, Oracle Press), Hard Disk Smarts (John Wiley Publishing), and four books on Lotus (Que). He also served as technical editor for Microsoft's DOS 5 and DOS 6 manuals. He is currently employed at Metier, an Oracle partner company that provides consulting services in the Los Angeles area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (August 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072255404
• ISBN-13: 978-0072255409
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,233,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, but title misleading, October 3, 2004

By 

ueberhund "ueberhund" (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Oracle Database 10g PL/SQL 101 (Oracle Press) (Paperback)

With all the many Oracle Press books I have been able to review, I have not yet been disappointed by one of them. They have consistently been written clearly, been relevant, and valuable in real-world Oracle development. This book is of course no exception. It is written as a beginning guide to not only Oracle development but as an entry-level text to SQL syntax and concepts as well.

After a good introduction to what a database is, the author begins into a tutorial on basic SQL syntax. In this introductory section, the reader learns how to create tables, write INSERT statements, and then select the data back out via the SELECT statement. The author quickly moves to more advanced techniques, illustrating the use of the WHERE clause, and discusses use of the UPDATE statement.

Practical use of the techniques just discussed will likely be implemented in SQL*Plus, so the author begins a very thorough discussion of this tool. Many of the potential problems a user might experience with SQL*Plus are covered and solutions are provided. I was quite pleased with how extensive this chapter covers the topic of SQL*Plus. It is an excellent introduction to this tool.

The author then begins to discuss more advanced database techniques, including the use of indexes and constraints. Finally, the author begins a discussion of basic PL/SQL syntax. This is really my only problem with the book: the book is called PL/SQL 101, yet only the last chapter is dedicated to discussing the subject. Sure, the proceeding material is necessary to have the framework to discuss PL/SQL. I just think the title is a bit misleading.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money., September 30, 2005

By 

Robert W. Cooke (Georgetown, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oracle Database 10g PL/SQL 101 (Oracle Press) (Paperback)

Trys to review all of Oracle 10G and basic SQL commands in less than 360 pages. Too high level and contains very little PL/SQL included.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So far so good, March 23, 2006

By 

Maverick (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracle Database 10g PL/SQL 101 (Oracle Press) (Paperback)

I bought this book as a compliment to a current course I'm taking on DB systems. Knowing nothing about Oracle and very little about SQL, I've found this book to very informative thus far. Though I'm still reading this book, it is the perfect companion for someone new to Oracle PL/SQL and SQL.