Oracle Developer Starter Kit [Paperback]

Robert J. Muller (Author)

Book Description

Series: Oracle Press | Publication Date: September 1, 1999

Developer provides a set of integrated builders that allow developers to construct sophisticated database forms, reports and charts. These components use powerful declarative capabilities to create applications from database definitions without writing a single line of code. This guide covers the features of Developer Version 6.0 and Oracle 8i. It addresses four key tools: forms, reports, graphics and procedures.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Oracle Developer is one of the most powerful database application tools available today, with excellent Internet and middle-tier capabilities. Oracle Developer Starter Kit provides a solid working introduction to using this tool effectively. Stressing a hands-on tutorial of the major features of this product, plus plenty of tips for successful programming, this book is all you need to be productive.

The hands-on focus is a real strength of this text, which does a good job of explaining how Oracle Developer works, and offers plenty of advice about following Oracle-recommended conventions. (Readers are reminded that effective Developer programming means cooperating with the excellent built-in functionality of the product. By following a few principles in Developer, you can write database applications that will scale to hundreds or thousands of users effortlessly--this includes the ability to deploy to the Internet.) Early chapters introduce the basics of using Oracle Forms, the form-design tool, to create screens for data entry and reports (by using Oracle Reports), along with graphics and charts.

This book follows a database schema that is based on the records of a farm from the turn of the 20th century--an intriguing sample database. After a tour of the basics, it turns to an excellent discussion of PL/SQL, the language that is used in Oracle for writing triggers and stored procedures. PL/SQL has its own distinctive conventions, and the introduction here is good. (One caveat is that, although this sample database and code are shipped on the accompanying CD-ROM, you'll need to get a trial copy of Developer from Oracle; a large download.)

Later sections zero in on more advanced aspects of Developer, such as tips and techniques that promote code reuse with forms and other objects. The introduction to using PL/SQL for stored procedures, a sure way to boost performance, is particularly outstanding. The text also succeeds at explaining the nuts and bolts of deploying your finished Oracle Developer application, whether on the Web or off, and combining Developer with other technologies, like Java, ActiveX on the client, and CORBA on the server.

Besides being an effective manual on thinking in Oracle, this comprehensive reference lists every object and method that is available in Developer. Filled with practical hints and written in a surprisingly engaging style, Oracle Starter Kit is all you need to begin writing robust database applications by using Oracle's powerful programming tool. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered:

• Introduction to Oracle Developer (Forms, Reports, and Graphics)
• Programming tutorial with Forms, including master-detail forms and Lists of Values (LOVs)
• Using Reports (basic report styles plus grouping, summary columns, and interactive and matrix/crosstab reports)
• Adding graphics and charts to your Developer applications
• UI-design guidelines
• Data block basics
• Triggers for common form events
• Adding security to Developer applications
• Tips on design for reuse, including modules, templates, subclassing, and form parameters
• Tutorial for PL/SQL, including basic database queries, cursors, and stored procedures
• PL/SQL exceptions, subprograms, local packages, and libraries
• Debugging and tracing tips
• Installing Oracle Developer Server
• Deploying Internet and traditional client/server applications
• Using Developer with ODBC, Java, and ActiveX components
• Internationalizing Developer applications
• Reference for all objects and methods for Developer Forms, Reports, and Graphics

From the Back Cover

Create Robust, Web-Enabled Oracle Applications.

Easily and quickly deliver scalable e-Business applications with the powerful new release of Oracle Developer-Developer Server.

With full coverage of Developer-Developer Server Release 6.0., this authoritative volume is a thorough revision of the best-selling Oracle Developer/2000 Handbook. The book is packed with expert advice, detailed explanations, and complete solutions that show you how to produce robust, precise, Internet-ready applications with Developer.

Learn to exploit the power of Oracle Developer Release 6.0 using this unique, feature-by-feature guide. Inside, you'll find complete details on deploying the development wizards, using the new GUI controls, and maximizing the reuse capabilities - PLUS you'll get step-by-step guidance from prototyping through delivering a high-powered Internet application. Written by a veteran in Oracle development, Oracle Developer Starter Kit will help you to:

Understand the nuts and bolts of building applications, including how to choose an appropriate application development life cycle

Master design and prototyping issues including the new wizards and GUI design features of Developer Forms, Reports, and Graphics

Extend the reusability and optimize the security of your applications

Learn PL/SQL and test and debug your programs using Developer's debugging and tracing tools

Deploy Internet applications and integrate them with other tools

Maximize the power of Oracle Developer Release 6.0. The perfect companion to Oracle Developer Advanced Forms & Reports and loaded with practical examples and valuable insights, Oracle Developer Starter Kit is a must-have reference for every Oracle developer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 792 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072120479
• ISBN-13: 978-0072120479
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,922,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is useless, January 27, 2000

By 

Nilus (Mars) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracle Developer Starter Kit (Paperback)

I bought this book because I'm new to Oracle and the book title has the words 'starter kit'. This is a farce because it already assumes you have a little knowledge of Oracle. So I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone starting out. What makes this book completely useless is the fact that it goes through a tutorial example that doesn't even exist on the CD. There is no possible way to follow through the chapters because it keeps referring to this example that doesn't exist. This was the worst computer book I've ever bought.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book for developer covers version 6, October 18, 1999

By 

"mzahid" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracle Developer Starter Kit (Paperback)

This book is very well explained and written. Mostly covers the advance topics of developement in Oracle. If you do not have any proir experience in using forms and reports then this book is not for you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sample database tables are not in the accompanied CD., January 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Oracle Developer Starter Kit (Paperback)

This book does not go in detail on how to created the sample tables, therefore I can not do any hands on training.

I tried to get support from the writer but I did'nt get a respond back.