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Oracle development best practices
Oracle Tips by Burleson Consulting |
Question: We need an Oracle developer for a mission
critical project, and we are considering one of the key requirements as
the Oracle PL/SQL Web Toolkit. Other technologies we require are PL/SQL
for some back-end business logic functions and Javascript/XML/DHTML for
the dynamic front-end. AJAX would be very helpful as well because we
would like an asynchronous look and feel if possible.
Based on my observation, even among the Oracle PL/SQL
developer community, the Web Toolkit does not seem to be a very common
skill. What advice do you have for the break between SQL
and procedural coding?
It's a best practice to encapsulate as much
data manipulation with your SQL as-possible, and deliver the data to the program
ready-to-display. Oracle SQL has loads of efficient built-in functions and
analytic functions that can do complex data computations and manipulation.
Question: How do I find developers to use the PL/SQL web
developer toolkit?
The PL/SQL Web Developer Toolkit consists of tools to help with pre-written
libraries of re-usable components. As such, all a programmer needs to know is
how to read the interface specs. If you want the PL/SQL Developer toolkit, most
experienced developers should pick it up really fast. If I were you, I'd just
hire some smart young coders and teach it to them. Just remember that the
cheaper developers are rarely a bargain. Guru-level PL/SQL coders are amazing,
and they can crank-out working code 10x faster than the bargain coders.
Question: What are most folks using for Oracle development these days?
I see lots of development in Java (J2EE) within Oracle JDeveloper, Apex
(HTML-DB), and PL/SQL, especially since Oracle supports Java PL/SQL stored
procedures.
Question: What is the industry best practice for hiring short-term
Oracle developers with these skills?
It's very important to have everyone using best practices, saves a load of
downstream work. For a short-tem project, it's hard to hire anyone with
the exact skills that you need, and even harder to keep them after the project
is completed. For a 6-month gig, I would not risk hiring an employee,
especially if it's mission-critical. (Good coders get bored really fast, and
have a reputation as job-hoppers) For a short gig where follow-up support
is required, it's often better to employ a good remote PL/SQL consultant. The
code happens fast, and you only pay for as-needed maintenance enhancements. A
temp-to-perm employee may get bored, and you have to pay their inevitable
downtime.
Using a professional consultant with a track-record of fast delivery, you get it
on-time, well-documented, using best practices, and you can get maintenance and
enhancements as-needed, without the salary overhead and risk of loosing your
coder. Remember, If you loose your own coder, you loose your
institutional knowledge. With a consultancy, you have security and continuity.
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