Re: analyzing slow connections

Ed Stevens <nospam_at_noway.nohow> wrote
>
> I've been given a head's-up that a project is being put together to
> figure out why an app is experiencing delays in connecting/starting
> up. Mostly will be looking at application code and tracing network
> issues (this being done by the network and server admins) but there
> will be some attention to Oracle itself. Notice that once the app is
> up and started they seem to be happy -- it's just statup/connect
> delays that are of concern. With that in mind, what should I be
> looking at, and what should I be prepared for?

What app? Custom, off-the-shelve, vendor? What platform does it run on? What constitutes "slow connection times"? What language is it written in? (contrary to popular believe, nor men or programming languages are created as equals)

Simple example. Windows app. Uses 10 different input forms and 20 report forms.

The no-brainer programmer will construct all 30 forms upon startup. This will have a SERIOUS impact on startup time (not too mention resources).

The clever programmer will construct (and destroy) the forms where and when needed.

Unfortunately I have seen all too much of the former.. and just as unfortunate is that you cannot kill a dumbass calling himself a programmer.. yet anyway (wait 'til the Scorched Earth Party comes into power.. we will have special laws to deal with so-called programmers.. using lead pipes of course).

Other "overheads" in app startup:

- loading and initialising DLLs
- establishing network connections
- construction of objects

There's nothing you can do about loading of DLL's.. except maybe to preload them at Windows startup (but that requires a custom little Windows service to be written which will make dumbass programmer not only trash your network, but causing the coffee machine to overload too).

Network connections.. including connecting to Oracle. What can slow that down is slow/incorrectly configures WINS/DNS servers.. or using reverse lookups on the server side. Including going thru firewalls and proxies.

As for the last one.. doing that across the network.. What is there to say but that 3 tier sucks.

Have fun. And don't forget your lead pipe (you get you own brand new one when signing on as a card carrying member of the Scorched Earth Party).

--
Billy