Re: I would like to know how experts look at this problem

Gregor wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I am a software developer, with some knowledge about databases, but I would
> like to know how experts look at this problem.
>
> I am developing a Management Information System for a customer. This
> customer has 2 DBA's how disagree with me. This is the situation:
>
> My application retrieves it data from an Oracle database. There are 150
> concurrent users.
>
> There are 3 different levels of users:
>
> 1.. Directors
> 2.. Local managers
> 3.. Shop managers
>
> There are 5 directors and 5 local managers. When one of these users asks for
> information, the query returns approximately 500.000 record (sorted
> alphabetical!). The queries for the shop managers only return approximately
> 10.000 record (sorted alphabetical).
>
> Shop managers use the system daily and others use it weekly.
>
> The DBA's of my customer say that this system is never going to work,
> because it is too much for the database server.
>
> I think that with the right hardware and the right configuration of the
> oracle database it should work.
>
> What do you think?????????????
>
> Thanks,
>
> Gregor.
>
> P.s. I have been told that if oracle is processing one big transaction, a
> small transaction in the queue, has to wait until it the large transaction
> has finished. I know this is the case with MS Access, but I thought Oracle
> was more sophisticated (preemptive)?

I think that if you were a good developer with sufficient knowledge to build this system you would know that the information provided here is inadequate for anyone to advise you. So I think a bigger concern than Oracle should be one with respect to your skill set.

150 concurrent users is nothing for Oracle. 500,000 rows is nothing for Oracle. Though I think any query that returns 500,000 rows to an end user is dumber than dirt. Of course I'd start having a problem with any app. that returned more than a few thousand rows to an end-user.

The problem here is one of cost-effectiveness and cost of ownership. Without knowing budgetary constraints it is easy to say what you are doing will work. But if the budgeted hardware is a 500MHz Pentium III with 256MB RAM you'd best quit while still ahead of the game.

My advise to you is to provide real information to us before asking for advice. And even more importantly you recognize that your success is totally dependent upon the attitude of these two DBAs toward you and your code. I would strongly suggest taking them out to lunch, getting them a few decent brews, and soliciting their advise. You could be 100% right and still be the wrong.

Daniel Morgan Received on Wed Mar 05 2003 - 10:51:48 CST