Re: Python vs. PL/SQL for Oracle work

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 03:52:08 -0800, dananrg wrote:

> Anyone here use Python rather than PL/SQL for writing DBA
> administrative scripts, etc? Is there a good module out there for
> Python that interfaces with Oracle?
>
> I know some PL/SQL from a while ago, but am now learning Python for
> other tasks and love it as a language (I love how it forces you to
> write clean code). I'd like to use it for everything, or nearly so
> anyhow. Before I committed to delving back into PL/SQL, I wanted to see
> if Python was the right tool for the job(s) on the Oracle RDBMS.
>
> My guess is that Larry would encourage the use of any good
> non-Microsoft programming language. :-)

I suspect Larry would likely recommend using the RIGHT tool for the job.

And PL/SQL, running in the database space, just might be the right tool for running database applications.

I agree with your sentiment about Python's power and elegance. Just realize that you will always have to connect to the database to use a Python application. Dragging data back and forth to process it in Python might not be as efficient as handling the data in-situ.

Further, I recommend looking at plain SQL solutions before using any PL/SQL or Python solutions. A LOT of developer know how to 'code' a solution in some procedural/object fashion, but few realize that significant chunks of procedure may be avoided (although not all eliminated) by writing good SQL.

Finally, pick up a copy of Tom Kyte's latest book (see http://apress.com) for general ideas on how to code properly for an Oracle environment.

-- 
Hans Forbrich                           
Canada-wide Oracle training and consulting
mailto: Fuzzy.GreyBeard_at_gmail.com   
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