Oracle SQL Tuning Pocket Reference (Paperback)

by Mark Gurry (Author)
Key Phrases: optimizer problems, all indexed columns, driving table, Tuning Pocket Reference, Problems Common, Manage Statistics (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
One of the most important challenges faced by Oracle database administrators and Oracle developers is the need to tune SQL statements so that they execute efficiently. In this book, Mark Gurry shares his in-depth knowledge of Oracle's SQL statement optimizers. Mark's knowledge is the result of many hard-fought tuning battles during his many years of providing Oracle tuning services to clients. Mark provides insights into the workings of the rule-based optimizer that go well beyond what the rules tell you. Mark also provides solutions to many common problems that occur with both the rule-based and cost-based optimizers. In addition to the specific problem/solution scenarios for the optimizers, Mark provides a number of handy SQL tuning tips. He discusses the various optimizer hints, telling you when they can be used to good effect. Finally, Mark discusses the use of the DBMS_STATS package to manage database statistics, and the use of outlines to specify execution plans for SQL statements in third-party applications that you can't otherwise modify.

About the Author
As a database administrator on a financial IMS project about eight years ago, Mark Gurry was asked to investigate his company's database direction for the next five years. The number of users was up to 950, the cost of maintaining the mainframes was huge, and he'd heard about relational databases and downsizing. After much investigation, he chose Oracle, and has stuck with the system ever since. He has worked as Manager of Computing and Network Services, senior database administrator, senior Oracle technical support, and other jobs. He now has a small consulting company called New Age Consultants. Mark has worked for many large organizations and is currently working for Telecom Australia, the largest computer site in Australia and one of the largest in the world. He has also spoken on tuning at Oracle user group meetings and has given internal tuning courses at several of his larger client sites. He has been a senior team member on award-winning systems that have been developed using Oracle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.; 1st edition (November 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596002688
• ISBN-13: 978-0596002688
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,808 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #4 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Databases > Oracle > Tuning
  #8 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Databases > Oracle > SQL
  #14 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Databases > Oracle > PL & SQL

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential guide for tuning Oracle SQL, May 22, 2003

By	Jeff Price (North Plainfield, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This is the best book I've seen for tuning Oracle SQL.
It is well written, up to date (includes 9i info), and full of examples and real world experiences. All packed into 100 little pages!
Many of the Oracle books I've purchased (especially the tuning references) are just sitting on the shelf collecting dust. They're too big, and filled with a lot of 'dead weight'. I've already read this pocket reference twice (it's suprising how much more of it 'sticks' the second time around) and gathered more useful knowledge than all my other sql tuning books combined.
I know this is called a pocket reference simply because of it's size, but it's really more of an instructional manual than just a reference.
Every Oracle developer and DBA should read this book ...at least twice.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Oracle database tuning guide that provides best overall return, May 26, 2007

By	Erik Gfesser (Lombard, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Purchased a few years ago, this little guide has provided the best return on investment when compared to more bulky works on the subject of Oracle database tuning. The word "reference" was probably chosen over the word "guide" in the title of this book because the former would seem to imply usage solely for quick lookups on various related subjects. However, this work is really a step-by-step primer that can be used alongside online Oracle database reference manuals. Because this book is so short, it can be digested in a matter of hours. During such a short time period, the reader is exposed to topics ranging from Oracle rules-based and cost-based optimization to database statistics gathering and SQL hints. And all this information is presented in a practical manner that includes many examples that will help the reader start off on the right path.

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and to the point, July 6, 2007

By	Joshua Mcadams "perlcast" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I typically like these little pocket reference books from O'Reilly and this one is no exception. However, this is more than just a reference, it's a nice primer on Oracle SQL tuning. It's a pretty safe bet that you'll get your $10 worth out of this book pretty quickly.