Learning Oracle PL/SQL (Paperback)

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Product Description

PL/SQL, Oracle's programming language for stored procedures, delivers a world of possibilities for your database programs. PL/SQL supplements the standard relational database language, SQL, with a wide range of procedural features, including loops, IF-THEN statements, advanced data structures, and rich transactional control--all closely integrated with the Oracle database server. Learning Oracle PL/SQL offers the guidance you need to come up to speed on PL/SQL, whether you're a beginner or already experienced with another programming language.Topics include:

PL/SQL - what is it, and why use it?Syntax and examples of all core language constructsCreating and reusing stored procedures, functions, and packagesBuilding web-based applicationsSecuring PL/SQL programs Benefits of third-party developer toolsConnecting PL/SQL to email, Java, and the Internet

Meticulously crafted with all-new, downloadable examples the book includes language features available in all versions from Oracle7 through Oracle9i. Written in an easygoing style by PL/SQL experts Bill Pribyl and Steven Feuerstein, the book delivers a solid foundation for every database developer and administrator who needs to learn PL/SQL.

About the Author

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: 450 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596001800
• ISBN-13: 978-0596001803
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #493,903 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The O'Reilly Learning Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful intro to PL/SQL, February 10, 2002

By A Customer

A book doesn't have to cover advanced material and tricks from gurus to be great. There are only a handful of really good Oracle books, and this is one. It takes the beginner through the important features of PL/SQL, and uses an example application that you build as you go along.

The organization is great and the writing is crystal clear. It doesn't just cover syntax. It also explains when and why you'd want to use various PL/SQL features.

If you're a radical C++ coding genius, maybe you want one of the other O'Reilly books on PL/SQL. On the other hand, if you've tried some other books that deal with PL/SQL and found they didn't provide the background, explanations and programming strategies you need, try this book. The authors are talented PL/SQL experts, and their presentation of the subject is great.

This book is not a slap-dash effort to write a quick book. It's a solid, quality book. If you have some exposure to Oracle but have never developed PL/SQL skills, you'll like this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best intros to PL/SQL, March 12, 2002

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

Learning Oracle PL/SQL is one of the best books I have read on learning this subject. This book has a little for everyone: you'll learn something if you know the basics of SQL, but have never really done anything with it. You'll also learn something if you've had a lot of experience with Microsoft SQLServer (and T-SQL), but are looking to transition you knowledge to Oracle PL/SQL.

You'll learn about coding anonymous blocks, stored procedures, functions, and packages. You will learn how to write and use cursors, how to organize code into packages, Oracle security basics, Oracle built in packages, and error handling. The book also covers some basics of using SQL*Plus, to make your life a little easier.

If you need a relatively small (less than 400 pages) introduction to Oracle PL/SQL, then this is definitely a book you will want to pick up. If you need more in-depth information after reading this book, pick up the authors' other book Oracle PL/SQL.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, November 27, 2002

By A Customer

I've been a self taught Oracle PL/SQL developer for two years, so I was sceptical on reading a "Learning" book. After reading the first few chapters I was able to make improvements to my PL/SQL programs. It was definitely worth the time and money. The examples are well written and simple enough to make sense, but not too simple that they are "duh" type examples. I also liked the fact that the book explains how to set up and use Oracle/Apache to make PSP pages (Stored Procedures that generate web content). The PSP section makes up a good portion of the book that I didn't know was in it before I got it. With plenty of real-world experience tips, a section on tools and security, it will be a while before I have this ingrained and used on a daily basis. I defiantly got more than I was looking for.