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Re: Re:How to CM Oracle DB (DBAs input requested)

From: Russell E. Grau <reg_at_teleport.com>
Date: 1997/10/28
Message-ID: <MPG.ec03832654f560a989680@news.teleport.com>

[This followup was posted to comp.databases and a copy was sent to the cited author.]

In article <mso-2510971942000001_at_m188.doubled.com>, mso_at_doubled.com says...

Hey Mark:

You are on the right track. There is a lot to learn about using SCM techniques and working with databases. Just as there are about 500 different methods of SCM'ing source code the same is true with database code.

You might take a look at a product made by Embarcadero Technologies out of the bay area. They have a web site (forget the address -- probably www.embarcadero.com). The product name is Team/SQL. They have an interface that works with PVCS. Very nice. They also have the ability to link into a database (say Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server -- see them for details on what is supported) and then reverse engineer all the information from that database into a project.

Talk about making your life easier! You then have an immediate baseline that can be used in other locations. What you are really looking for.

Now, as others will tell you, there are better tools and some work better for them. Just passing some information along that I have worked with.

Just so there is no misunderstanding, I do work for Intersolv in their PVCS Answerline. But, this answer is coming from my home so don't confuse the two, okay? (Rather be up front with the relationship than just shine you on).

Other answers follow to your questions. Take what works for you, leave the rest.

Russell

> groups added:comp.software-eng, comp.databases, comp.databases.oracle.misc,
> comp.databases.oracle.tools
>
> In article <m3oh4d6h3b.fsf_at_biff.bitsko.slc.ut.us>, Ken MacLeod
> <ken_at_bitsko.slc.ut.us> wrote:
>
> @ Mark <mso_at_doubled.com> writes:
> @
> @ > . . . This project uses an Oracle DB and uses
> @ > Oracle financials. Oracle Designer2000 and Developer2000 are used to
> @ > work on/develop the DB.
> @ > . . .
> @ > 1) The politial issue is that the DBA and Oracle developers feel all CM
> @ > should be concerned with is keeping track of the DB patches (which they
> @ > maintain themselves in their environment).
> @ > . . .

A lot of different opinions in this area. Not one of them "wrong" not one of them "right." The DBA wants to keep control because of ownership issues and responsability issues. Same with the programmers.

Quite often that is the case. A lot depends on the corporate culture that prevails. Is there an over-riding concern about security and reproducability? You may need to work on that particular issue if there is.

> @ > 2) The functional issue is that I do not know how to CM a DB. I cannot
> @ > find any resourses that describe how a database should be CM'd.
> @ > . . .

The real question is what do YOU need to recreate the database at any given point? Do you need the creation scripts? Gotta CM them. Alter statements? Gotta CM them. Do you have limitations on the people who can change the schema? They should be working with CM (this is actually more true if there are no limitations -- willy nilly changes to a database give everyone grief!).

> @ > Does anyone know of any resourses I can refer to or can anyone provide
> @ > any type of help or suggestion regarding CM of databases?
> @
> @ Unfortunately, not much. I've been at the same point on a few
> @ occasions now and unless your modelling and implementation tools
> @ support automated CM directly you're SOL, on *both* issues :-(.
>
> Thank you for your input, I may not of understood your response completely
> or I may not have been clear on what I was looking for. Let me ask a few
> questions and hopefully clear things up. Basically, I am not looking for
> the how's and why's of Oracle DB creation/configuration/maintenance, but
> the what's-- what is used to do it and how can it be CM'd.
>
> 1) Once a generic Oracle (7.x.x) database is installed in one environment
> for a project (say development), can it be configured/setup by using files
> containing configuration info or instructions, like SQL scripts? Can the
> DB then be maintained/changed using the same?
>

Yes. It had better be. You would generally also have some form of a "build" or make script that would perform the tasks in a reproducible format.

> 2) If so, are SQL scripts the only way, or do other tools such as
> Developer/Designer produce files that are then are "run" on the database
> to configure it and maintain it?
>

Yes to both. If using the Designer/Developer, you would need to produce the scripts and then archive the information. Then when the change is needed and called for, execute the correct level of build (your developer's have already done this typically -- but not so of QA and production).

> 3) If I understand things correctly, the answer to both of the above is
> yes. If I am wrong or the answer is not that simple, please explain.
>
> 4) Now this question comes as a result of discussions with our DBA. I have
> reservations about her answer (along with her answers to the ones above).
> If these files are written/made properly, can they be used to
> configure/maintain a database with the same configuration in other
> environments for the same project (say system test and production)?
>

That actually should be your goal with any CM. The ability to reproduce at any time the current or past working environment.

Just some random thoughts.....

-- 
/*****************************************************
* Russell E. Grau                      (503) 452-3373
* reg_at_teleport.com        or       russelleug_at_aol.com
*****************************************************/
Received on Tue Oct 28 1997 - 00:00:00 CST

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