Oracle9i PL/SQL Programming (Paperback)

by Scott Urman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
From the authorized Oracle Press comes a complete guide to developing robust PL/SQL applications. The book contains new information on development tools, datatypes, SQL commands and functions, and much more. The CD-ROM contains sample code plus a sampling of development environments covered in the book.

From the Back Cover

Maximize Built-In PL/SQL Features

Create robust PL/SQL programs to access an Oracle database from a variety of environments. Officially authorized by Oracle Corporation, Oracle9i PL/SQL Programming explains the major features of the language and the variances in PL/SQL between different database versions. You'll learn to develop, test, and debug your PL/SQL applications and work in different development environments. You'll also get specifics on SQL and PL/SQL usage, error handling, collections, subprograms and packages, and advanced features.

• Work in various PL/SQL development and execution environments, demo versions of which are included on the CD-ROM
• Get details on PL/SQL syntax, variables, datatypes, expressions, operators, and control structures
• Ensure data consistency using SQL transaction-control statements
• Use cursors for multirow queries and explicit control of SQL statement processing
• Write PL/SQL programs that detect and react intelligently to runtime errors
• Take advantage of the multi level collection capabilities of Oracle9i
• Create and use procedures, functions, and packages
• Develop DML, instead-of, and system triggers to enforce complex data constraints
• Exploit advanced PL/SQL features, including external routines, native dynamic SQL, bulk binds, and object types

CD-ROM Contains Sample Code and Development Environments from the Book

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Product Details

• Paperback: 664 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 2 edition (November 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072191473
• ISBN-13: 978-0072191479
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #466,816 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but declining!, February 21, 2002

By	M. Loftus - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have several books by Urman. I have both 8i PL/SQL Programming books by Urman, as well as the 2001 edition of the 9i PL/SQL Programming book.

The 8i edition of this book is is 978 pages. The 2001 edition of the 9i book is 631. The 9i book has much less content than the 8i book even though more features have been added to Oracle 9i. There is also a large "Advanced" 8i PL/SQL Programming book because the basic book is just not big enough at 978 pages!

My conclusion is that while you MUST own this book, the 9i book does not adequately cover PL/SQL programming. Too much is left to the reader to puzzle-out on his own using other books and resources like Metalink or on-line documents. Why the book shrunk since 8i is a real mystery . . .

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Honestly, I expected a better book!, February 9, 2003

By	FF From Italy (MILAN Italy) - See all my reviews

I purchased the book having a little knowledge about PL/SQL programming and unfortunately reading this book didn't enhance my specific culture.
Nevertheless I think that it is a good item for novice PL/SQL programmer. They will find it an unvaluable working and training tool.
Finally, in my opinion, the preceding edition was richer in terms of contents and arguments.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only for newbies, December 30, 2003

By A Customer

I must say it is not what I expected. Basically, if you know nothing about PL/SQL, that is, the Oracle extension of the SQL, and you need to grasp its general concept in a very short time, this is the book for you.

But the subtittle of the book is definitely misleading. When it comes to advanced topics, the book simply copies from the online documentation from Oracle, but only the brief summery. Say, function DECODE, one of the most powful feature in PL/SQL, is covered in half a page! Just the official definition. Nothing to read about. If you bought Oracle 9i The Complete Reference, you'd find a whole chapter devoted to that function.

The author didn't do much work with this book. If you're a serious programmer, don't bother with this book.