Oracle PL/SQL Programming: Covers Versions Through Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (Animal Guide) [Paperback]

Steven Feuerstein (Author), Bill Pribyl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0596514468 | ISBN-13: 978-0596514464 | Edition: Fifth Edition

This book is the definitive reference on PL/SQL, considered throughout the database community to be the best Oracle programming book available. Like its predecessors, this fifth edition of Oracle PL/SQL Programming covers language fundamentals, advanced coding techniques, and best practices for using Oracle's powerful procedural language. Thoroughly updated for Oracle Database 11g Release 2, this edition reveals new PL/SQL features and provides extensive code samples, ranging from simple examples to complex and complete applications, in the book and on the companion website.

This indispensable reference for both novices and experienced Oracle programmers will help you:

• Get PL/SQL programs up and running quickly, with clear instructions for executing, tracing, testing, debugging, and managing PL/SQL code
• Optimize PL/SQL performance with the aid of a brand-new chapter in the fifth edition
• Explore datatypes, conditional and sequential control statements, loops, exception handling, security features, globalization and localization issues, and the PL/SQL architecture
• Understand and use new Oracle Database 11g features, including the edition-based redefinition capability, the function result cache, the new CONTINUE statement, fine-grained dependency tracking, sequences in PL/SQL expressions, supertype invocation from subtypes, and enhancements to native compilation, triggers, and dynamic SQL
• Use new Oracle Database 11g tools and techniques such as PL/Scope, the PL/SQL hierarchical profiler, and the SecureFiles technology for large objects
• Build modular PL/SQL applications using procedures, functions, triggers, and packages

Editorial Reviews

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 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.

Bill Pribyl is the primary author of Learning Oracle PL/SQL and the coauthor of Oracle PL/SQL Programming and its companion pocket reference, all from O'Reilly Media. He is oddly proud of having used PL/SQL to write TCP/IP networking clients, tnsping callouts, near-realtime commodity price loaders, and transcendental functions. Bill, who holds a degree in physics from Rice University, is the former editor of the IOUG technical journal (Select) and former president of the South Central Oracle Users Group. At home with his family in Houston, Texas, Bill's current nonbillable titles include Webmaster for his neighborhood civic club, "IT Guy" for his son's Boy Scout troop, and Eucharistic Adoration Coordinator for his church. Visit Bill's firm at http://www.datacraft.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1232 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; Fifth Edition edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596514468
• ISBN-13: 978-0596514464
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 2.2 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > SQL
  • #17 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > Database Management Systems

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is how it really works in the real world October 26, 2009

By Mr. Mark S. Jones

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

There are always 2-3 books every developer has in their area of expertise and if you're using PL/SQL, the Feuerstein book is one of them.

I'm not sure how much someone can get out of it if they never did work coding before and you're trying to learn it but I can think of many many times I needed an example for a specific problem and the book had a great example of how to do it.

Also I warn people to be careful because especially for the later chapters, they evolve to the answer to the problem and the cognitive method for this book is to follow along to the end to see how it got there - I think to some of the reviewers this is verbose but this really sinks the PL/SQL concept into your brain effectively and in my experience it's clearly worthwhile. I'm amazed (as always) how clear the evolution is if you take the time to follow it.

I might also add if you're not doing PL/SQL for work but trying to learn it, the evolution might not make sense it's very obvious to me the author has hard core real experience to approach the topics the way he does it.

For people in the field, I'd even say if you're a brand new developer on a job or programmed in something else and are approaching PL/SQL for the first time, the examples are more than clear enough and the opening chapters cover relatively universal and simple concepts so I believe the book is extremely beneficial for beginners as well as very advanced PL/SQL developers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The "all you want to know" PL/SQL reference book February 15, 2010

By Alberto N. Noronha

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you're looking for a book that can be your reference for every doubt you may have in PL/SQL programming, its syntax and constructions, that's the book for you. The examples are very clear and easy to understand. The author uses examples in both ways, before applying a certain functionality and after applying it, which makes comprehension much better. In case I had no PL/SQL book so far, I wouldn't waste my time buying other ones. There is only one cons: the size and weight of this book. It's not something you'll like to carry in your backpack everyday, but keeping in your shelf as a handy reference book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Oracle PL/SQL Programming: Covers Versions Through Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (Animal Guide) September 25, 2010

By Oysterville

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

With the exception of the first edition, I have purchase all others that Steve has published. Not bad for a self-confessed newby programmer. Just kidding. It is the one book I would want if I were stuck on a desert island. Of course, for a lack of firewood, well sorry Steve; we have to do what we have to do.

I have been a professional PL/SQL programmer since the mid-eighties. On one job, an earlier edition made me a hero. Today, I program for the US Army Aeromedical establishment, so I serve the heros and proud of it. My one and only PL/SQL book I keep at my side is this book. Steve, keep up the good work. It would not hurt my feelings if you wrote a book on the practical side of PL/SQL for DBAs as I find myself involved in DDL work 1/3 of my project life cycle so scripts and hints would always be welcomed. I do have a copy of Donald Burleson's DBA Scripts affectionately known as Code Depot and I take nothing away from Donald, but I enjoy the format used in the Oracle PL/SQL; it is the best even though it is just my opinion.