Editorial Review

If you're doing database application development in the Oracle environment, you're going to have to know PL/SQL, the company's extended query and update language. If you want your programs to exploit the special capabilities of Oracle software, you'll need to know the language well. That's where the third edition of Read more

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Reviews (76)

Very good
This is an easy to read book. Feuerstein presents a goodoverview and in-depth analysis of the PL/SQL language with practical examples. He includes several examples and recommendations that make this a solid book for PL/SQL programmers. Some print errors are commons in books of this type, they are obviously a problem for a newbie, but there is no perfect book at this world. For this reason I give only 4 stars.
A major programmer's reference
Steven Feuerstein and Bill Pribyl's ORACLE PL/SQL is a major reference for any already programming: it provides references to syntax, codes, and forms for developers and database administrators, adds new content to extend coverage for the latest Oracle Database 10g Release 2, and adds new chapters covering security encryption, email, and globalization. This isn't just an A-Z coverage: it provides questions, application issue analysis, details on whether usage is appropriate or worth the effort, and how to avoid common coding problems such as hardcoding literals.

THE ULTIMATE PL/SQL PROGRAMMING BOOK!!
Are you an application developer or database administrator? Well, you're in luck! Authors Steven Feuerstein and Bill Pribyl, have done an outstanding job of writing a 4th edition of a book that provides comprehensive useful coverage of the PL/SQL language.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database Management - Oracle    6. General    7. PL/SQL (Computer program language)    8. Programming Languages - SQL    9. Relational databases    10. Computer Programming    11. Computers / Data Base Management    12. Computers / Database Management / General    13. Computers / Programming Languages / SQL    14. Computers/Programming Languages - SQL    15. Oracle    16. Oracle, database, programmer, developer, software engineering   

Reviews (3)

It is an excellent DBA Handbook
The book is excellent in the sense that it went straight to the essential and important topics. I am surprised that they did cover a lot of topic in a few pages. The book does help if you have some experience with oracle and especially with 10g. If you are new to oracle I am pretty sure you pick up the wrong book and you will be shaken by the concepts in the book. Overall I recommend this book if you are already familiar with 10g.

Great Book. Not for Beginners
This book is definitely not for beginners. If you already have a working knowledge of how to operate an Oracle database, this book will provide a more solid foundation for your knowledge. I particularly found its chapters on RAC and High Availability helpful. The best part of this book is that it covers the most essential knowledge to becoming a highly competent Oracle DBA without trying to be a reference for every Oracle topic. I highly recommend this book.

Bumpy Ride
I'm learning database administration for the first time, so I've been sequentially working through this book.I've made it past 200 pages running all of the commands and scripts; however, I've had to do a lot of outside research in the product documentation and internet forums to get the stuff to work.I've marked up the margins of this book like crazy.Key pieces of the examples are omitted, and some information is just plain wrong (e.g. names of AWR SQL scripts).Being forced to do outside research can help you learn the material better I guess, but the time could probably be better spent if all you want is your certification.One of their commands to move EM from SYSAUX to another tablespace totally corrupted my database console service and forced me to install a new database instance.Buy this book if you're into pain and self-torment. ... Read more

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Reviews (12)

Best PL/SQL book I have ever read
I have attempted to learn pl/sql for a few years now and have been unable to find a book that pulls it all together. This book gently introduces you to a topic and then then shows you how to apply it. The comical nature of the author also makes the book interesting and fun. I believe its a must read for anyone attempting to learning pl/sql.

Excellent Book
I am using it in the context of a text book under one of the authors. My only complaint with the book is that some of the topics seems to be shallow in content (for example records in chapter 5). As a person just learning PL/SQL I rather like the fact that it covers many topics, and takes the time to show example after example with explanations. The organization seems to be fairly uniform. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn PL/SQL as it has helped me immensely. I have found the index to be rather lacking (hence the four stars).

A couple of bad chapters, but good for 1Z0-147
I bought this book hoping it would help me pass the 1Z0-147 Oracle PL/SQL certification test, and it did.First the bad news: chapters five and six are horrible.The person that wrote these two chapters writes in the most pedantic way possible.Pages upon pages are filled with highly repetitive code, with each example followed by a detailed analysis of every statement!Compare this to the coding examples in other chapters, where statements of interest are highlighted and then followed by descriptions of their significance.If you want a laugh, check out page 225, where the author of chapter six says, "A problem with programming books is that concepts need to be illustrated with an economy of space."Wow.
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Reviews (2)

Best PeopleSoft book for Oracle DBA who needs to learn PeopleSoft support
I have been an Oracle DBA for ten years and needed to ramp up very quickly recently for a large client to support their PeopleSoft environment without time to get training on PeopleSoft. This book fits the void left empty as the other PeopleSoft books are geared toward PeopleSoft application developers and not for an Oracle DBA who needs to understand the new ways of working with Oracle databases and PeopleSoft applications. Definitely a gold mine of nuggets for those who need to understand Peoplesoft on Oracle!!

Pragmatic, focused, detailed
This book is a deep in-depth view of the function of Peoplesoft on an Oracle database. Not only does it cover the fundamentals of how Peoplesoft uses the database features, it also details almost every table in the system on a row by row basis. An in-depth resource which is sure to be invaluable to anyone using this software configuration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database Management - Oracle    6. Programming - General    7. Computers / Programming / General    8. Oracle   

Reviews (3)

Good coverage of Oracle SQL
The content look deceptively simple. However upon further reading one finds that it covers many aspects or ORACLE SQL plus differences between ORACLE and ANSI standard.
Comprehensive on basics but weak on advanced features
The book improves with each edition. The brief data modeling section is adequate but uses Information Engineering data models and should be updated to use UML. The treatment describing joins fails to adequately explain why you chose one over the other.
This book is Awesome!!
This book by Alice Rischert is one of the greatest Oracle SQL books ever written.I purchased the 1st edition of this book back in the day and it helped me pass the Oracle 8i OCP SQL exam.After reading the 1st edition, I was very much compelled to purchase the 3rd edition.The 3rd edition of the book is much better with all the errors from the previous versions corrected.This is the book they use for the students at Columbia University in New York.After you read this book and do all the exercises and test your thinking projects, you become a master of the subject.If you want to learn Oracle SQL, there is no greater learning tool than this book.Indeed, there is much time, effort, and loads of quality and research put into this book.The format of the book is reading and then hands-on labs which reinforce the topics you just read.After you read this book you should purchase the Oracle PL/SQL by Example third edition.It goes hand-in-hand with this book.AFterward, you'll know enough to go take the Oracle SQL and PL/SQL exam. ... Read more

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Reviews (10)

Very good book
This book is very good. I've had the book for a month now, and use it every day. It is good because it covers both SQL and PL/SQL, as well as all the latest Oracle 10g database features.
Even better than the last edition
Like the previous version, this is even better written. For starters to PL/SQL I recommend PL/SQL 101 and this.
Only SQL and PL/SQL book I actually use
I have three SQL and PL/SQL books, but this one is the only one I actually _use_ on a daily basis. It's a great book because it acts as both a training guide and reference book.Read more

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Reviews (11)

Will do the job
This book will definitely teach you the new features in 10g and prepare you for the exam. The material definitely covered the test areas well, although often there are mistakes in the text and questions. The online tests and flashcards are very useful and (good or bad) provide additional information that the book does not cover.
This is the Ticket
Today I passed the OCP upgrade exam with a 52/60 score and this book is principally responsible. I used the practice exams to find holes in my knowledge and revisited the text in those areas. By the way, the 10g Upgrade exam is a lot more work than the last two upgrade exams. Prepare to spend more time studying. I have only one criticism: the book has to much detail in some areas(the lesser new features like merge, model, etc.) and leaves a few things out of the big-new features. All in all, this test covers 92% of the material for the test. Aside from the upgrade exam, the text is also an excellent reference and learning book.

Good for DBA 10g Upgrade Test
This book gives you a CD with one 20-question exam per chapter, plus two 52-question "bonus tests," plus a 25-question "assessment test," plus a 250-question set of "flashcards."This is enough to get you into good shape for the Oracle exam to upgrade your DBA certification.
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Reviews (7)

Great pocket reference, 2nd edition WITH INDEX now
This small booklet "ORACLE PL/SQL Language Pocket Reference" in this new 2nd edition is exactly what you need as PL/SQL (PL/SQL is the ORACLE procedural language extension of SQL) programmer (and is even more important for casual PL/SQL programmer). anO'REILLY flop
Where's the index??A REFERENCE is something you pick up to find a particular needed peice of information. Without an index you have to scan everywhere trying to find what you are looking for.What a waste of time!Dont' even waste the 10 bucks for this piece of junk...

Nice, compact, but it really needs an index!
A good sidekick for when you have a mental lapse, unfortunately they seem to have forgot to print the index.Read more

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Reviews (3)

First Rate Book
This book is an excellent introduction to both PL/SQL and general coding principles.It is a good book for beginners and old dogs alike. It provides simple, clear and useful introductions to advanced topics such a INSTEAD OF TRIGGERS, BULK COLLECTS etc.My team is now using it a our "best practice" document for PL/SQL coding.Well done Misha and Paul.
An excellent text on PL/SQL
As I began reading, the attribute which came foremost to my mind was "readable".It covers all of the basics in a fashion readily comprehensible to those with even modest exposure to programming.We can always do better, but for most of us, if we go only as far as this text takes us, we will do far better than many of our contemporaries in the industry today.
Best Beginning Book on Programming EVER
This is just wonderful.Clearly written, easy to read, loads of basic tips.This is the perfect book for someone trying to get into the industry.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Database Management - Oracle    5. Database Management - SQL Server    6. Oracle (Computer file)    7. Oracle (Computer software)    8. PL/SQL (Computer program language)    9. Programming - Software Development    10. Programming Languages - SQL    11. Computers / Programming / Software Development    12. Databases & data structures   

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Reviews (16)

Great book ofr those using the SQL Plus command line or GUI tool
Oracle SQL Plus: The Defnitive Guide
the glories of the command line
The glories of the command line. SQLPlus [I am not going to write that irritating asterix] is an acknowledgment of the reality that for many large computer programs and operating systems, a command line utility is vital. The book explains this for the specific instance of hooking to Oracle's database. It is meant as a definitive reference. Showing every command, often accompanied by example code.
great guide
I have found this book to be a really great guide that is easy to follow.The author provides a gentle, but thorough introduction to topics like creating reports, writing scripts, customization etc.He offers methodologies and alternatives beyond the syntax that you can find in the manual.For example, he presents and evaluates six ways one can achieve some kind of if-then-else flow control in SQL*Plus.
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Reviews (7)

Great first SQL book, and useful reference
I'm no SDE, but I had a need to learn enough SQL to enable me to hit my company's Data Warehouse tables directly and employ some complex joins.This was the book recommended to me, and it did the trick.I sat down and began reading it and was quickly writing increasingly complex queries.I found the explanations easy to follow, and the format intuitive.The only fault I found is that there is a lack of more complex join examples, as when there are more than one field being joined on or more than two tables being joined.

Inadequate
Half of this 450 page book surveys basic SQL, and the other half is on features Oracle added to SQL in versions 9i and especially 10g. The book seems to have been intentionally "crippled" to limit it to the category of introductory overview, because much of what you need to know to work with Oracle SQL is simply not there:
Good overview of Basic DML & advanced features
I will agree with other reviewers that cite this book as an excellent resource. It is well organized and easy to follow from topic to topic without getting lost. The examples are well introduced and written with few minor errors. These will be easy to spot for someone who has used any flavor of SQL.
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Reviews (6)

Well done.Oracle Education look out!
I'm a developer and DBA who had not written PL/SQL in over a year.I used this book as a refresher.
Provides a solid foundation
The book provides very solid foundation of PL\SQL. It wisely covers the basics and repeats them in a format which isn't too redundant. For example, there are several chapters on Loops (simple, cursor, while, nested etc). This makes sense since loops are extremely important part of PL\SQL. The PL\SQL code examples are very well thought out and the test questions are very thought provoking.
not deep
It is not as good as Alice Rischert's "Oracle SQL by example". Looks like it is written for people who never programed before. So it teaches how to program using examples of pl/sql. Might be good for beginners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Oracle (Computer file)    6. PL/SQL (Computer program langu    7. PL/SQL (Computer program language)    8. Relational Databases    9. Sql (Programming Language)    10. Computers / Database Management / General    11. SQL   

Reviews (24)

Fantastics Oracle SQL Tuning Book!
What a perfect book describing nearly all the method to optimize performance(e.g. index, cluster, explain plan trace, tuning table access and joins, using hints etc) for developers. It provides a clear and detail explanation and somtimes illustration on each optimization methods. The book was written in plain English and hence can be easily understood.

Useful, but flawed
Of all the SQL tuning books available on the market, this one provides the most depth. It provides solid, easy to follow examples. The flaw in this book is that it just provides 'techniques' for improving performance. It's basically a book that is useful for trial and error SQL tuning. There is no other book on SQL Tuning
I have read this book cover to cover and more. I have been using this book since 1998 and I still have to say it is good book.It is one of the Oracle Classics. It is a little outdated. If you look at the cover it clearly states it covers to oracle 8i. If you still have 8i databases this is a good book. if you are using 9i and cost based optimization it is still useful but it will not pick up on some of the newer fetures of the CBO. If you use Rule based optimization(RBO) than it is a good book. I had actually used this book as a teaching guide when I use to teach SQL Tuning for an application software company who uses oracle database.I look forward to when the revised version does ship. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database Management - Oracle    6. Oracle (Computer file)    7. Programming Languages - SQL    8. Relational Databases    9. SQL (Computer program language    10. SQL (Computer program language)    11. Computers / Database Management / General    12. Oracle    13. SQL   

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Reviews (4)

Extremely Useful...
...a good combination of size, price, and content.I have the 3rd edition, which includes an 8-page index.I use this as part of teaching a class in Oracle Developer and recommend it for my students.As the other reviewers recommend, write your name in it...the Oreilly pocket references are easy to misplace, and walk off sometimes.There are four blank pages at the end for your own notes.Content is adequate for its purpose -- for extensive details, the Oracle online documentation is available, if slower to access.
OK as far as it goes
For those SQL*Plus keywords it contains, it's good. Very easy to use and helpful. What I'd really like to see is a more comprehensive reference that covers general SQL statements in SQL*Plus, without all the references to the other "flavors" of SQL out there (those weren't in this book, by the way). Exactly the same level of references found in the book now, but much more comprehensive, so I only need the one source for quick 'n' dirty query help. There were many SQL keywords and functions not found either here, or in The Complete SQL (not so complete, after all), making it difficult to move forward without looking elsewhere, like online using the search engine Copernicus.

A great revision guide.
After 7 years solid experience within the ORACLE toolset I find that books like this not only teach us a few new things but are also great revision guides giving new thought to commands, formats,functions etc not used or thought of for some time.Read more

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Reviews (2)

Raymond is too kind
I'm teaching two sections of a database administration course for which this textbook was selected.It's the worst textbook I think I've ever seen.The earlier edition, used with Oracle 9i, had all the problems Raymond noted, but at least it lined up with the Oracle release it described.
Horrible
I am using this textbook for a class in DBA using Oracle 10g.The author does a horrble job explaining the concepts and seems to jump all over the place.The step by step procedures won't work. You are better off downloading the Oracle DB and Client from Oracle and using thier install instructions.The review questions at the end of each chapter so far are lame.There are typos in the text. Don't get me wrong, there is information in this text it is just a pain in the rear to get through. For example, I need a Client to communicate with the DB, the text doesn't really cover this aspect.I dread the rest of this course... ... Read more

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Reviews (78)

for the very beginner only
This is a great book for the very beginner person who has no experience at all in SQL. It is very in details and very easy to understand. Unfortunately, I have to return this book since it is not what I am looking for.

OK, overall, But Very Incomplete Index
I was looking for more PL/SQL than this book offers (misleading title, I feel), but it contains good material.My biggest frustration, though (and unfortunately, this is shared by many technical books) is that the index is very incomplete.I would say that 80% of what I want to find in the book turns up empty when I use the index.Eventually I can find it by turning many pages, but I'd prefer not to waste so much time.

Title Misleading - Very little PL/SQL
I bought this book to learn more PL/SQL, but 95% of it is about SQL. The titlesuggests PL/SQL. If you want to know more about PL/SQL, this is not the book to buy. ... Read more

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Reviews (6)

Indispensible for any PL/SQL programmer
If there is any book which will "fine-tune" one's knowledge of PL/SQL, this is it. It is written in Feuerstein's inimitable style which will keep you engaged with the book much longer than any other peer book of it's kind. There is so much to learn from this book really - and it applies to beginners as experts alike. This book explores the tiniest nuts and bolts of PL/SQL in an exercise-like format which gives the reader a chance to ponder on the problem before he/she looks up the answers. And I must add, you are in store for a lot of surprises when you look up the answers in the second half of the book ! (escpecially in the experts' section)

Indispensible for any PL/SQL programmer
If there is any book which will "fine-tune" one's knowledge of PL/SQL, this is it. It is written in Feuerstein's inimitable style which will keep you engaged with the book much longer than any other peer book of it's kind. There is so much to learn from this book really - and it applies to beginners as experts alike. This book explores the tiniest nuts and bolts of PL/SQL in an exercise-like format which gives the reader a chance to ponder on the problem before he/she looks up the answers. And I must add, you are in store for a lot of surprises when you look up the answers in the second half of the book ! (escpecially in the experts' section)

Great Book with Helpful Learning Exercises
I thought this book was great.If you like getting into specific, real-world programming tasks and figuring out the best solutions then this book is for you.He provides helpful explainations along with his solutions.There are a lot of top-notch, practical techniques that you learn as you get into the nitty-gritty of working on small pieces of pl/sql code.There are also questions that test your conceptual understanding of different facets of pl/sql programming --- questions that you could face on a job interview.Even though I've been a pl/sql developer for a few years, I found this book very useful. ... Read more

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