Re: Python vs. PL/SQL for Oracle work

Dana,

dananrg_at_yahoo.com wrote:
> It's interesting that you bring up open source, because I have been
> investigating an open source spatial database extension to PostgreSQL
> called PostGIS, also being developed by http://www.refractions.net. I
> wonder if it can do what you mentioned in your emergency contacts
> example.

Indeed it can. And all of Hans' points regarding the virtues of doing this kind of stuff at the database tier are totally correct. Once you get your head wired database-centric for spatial problems, you'll never go back to your GIS.

> For what it's worth, I attended a presentation from a
> refractions.net fellow, and he gave higher marks to Oracle Spatial vs.
> ArcSDE, for Oracle Spatial being more of a "real" spatial database.

As that fellow, I still think so! Hans said in an earlier post that SDE was a lock-in gambit, and he is so right! Ironic, given the "database neutral" marketing slant, but of course SDE is database neutral and GIS vendor specific. "But there are SDE client libraries!" you say. If your client is not Arc* you are restricted to 5 concurrent connections unless you purchase extra licenses! But Arc* clients can have infinite connections to your SDE. And of course once you use SDE you make the use of real spatial database internals like triggers and so on much more fiddley, because touching your data without telling SDE throws things out of synch and Tempts the Gods.

I could go on and on. I often do.

Anyhow, Oracle, DB2, Informix and PostgreSQL/PostGIS are "real" spatial databases. SDE is marketed as a "spatial middleware" and best understood as such.

Paul

> >I admit that my knowledge of ESRI is no longer 'current' and freely
> >accept and invite updates.
>
> Let me know if I have your permission to quote you on the ESRI support
> forums and I can report back here with any good replies.
>
> Dana
Received on Fri Mar 03 2006 - 00:04:04 CST