Re: Is Oracle slower than sql server

sybrandb wrote:
> faisal.mansoor_at_gmail.com wrote:
> > Hello All
> >
> > I am having problem with oracle performance in comparsion with SQL
> > Server. My application supports both Oracle (9.2) and SQL server (2000)
> > database. I have identical schemas installed on both Oracle (installed
> > on windows box) and SQL server, all the tables and stored procs are
> > identical but I am constantly getting performace problems with oracle.
> > Oracle takes twice or more time to perform the same data retrival and
> > insertion tasks that SQL server does in half the time. Is it a general
> > problem which every one faces? if not then please let me know how can I
> > improve performance of on oracle database-- I am not comparing two
> > oracle's snapsots, but I want to improve oracle's performance to match
> > with SQL server --. Our data base is of medium size and we are running
> > both oracle and sql with alomost all default configurations.
> >
> > Any one having such experience or solution to problem please answer.
> >
> > Faisal
>
> The reason Oracle is slower is you subscribe to the myth Oracle is
> Sqlserver sold by a different vendor. It is not. The architecture is
> completely different.
> If you *ported* the sqlserver application *directly* without change to
> sqlserver, yes, you will have a non-performant applicationi.
> Sadly, there are complete armies of Oracle DBAs who do nothing but to
> resolve the errors made by people like you.
> I would buy any book on Oracle architecture or development written by
> Tom Kyte and he will explain you why you are wrong. He will also
> provide you with the tools to find out where you are wrong.
> Furthermore the Oracle Concepts Manual, online at
> http://tahiti.oracle.com, is a mandatory read. Likely, being
> brainwashed by the Evil Empire, aka Microsoft, you didn't read
> anything.
>
> There is no such thing as a database independent app, and there will
> never be.
>
>
> --
> Sybrand Bakker
> Senior Oracle DBA

I can't disagree with anything said.

However, I would add that an "alomost all default configurations" setup on a server with a single RAID 5 array will not deliver desirable performance. The Oracle database must be properly tuned and installed on a sufficient disk subsystem. In my case, under Oracle 8i, I saw a roughly 5 fold application performance improvement over an almost default Oracle installation. Some message threads on asktom.oracle.com suggest that SQLServer can be faster that Oracle when there are few users on the system, but as the number of users increases, Oracle quickly overtakes SQLServer's performance.

Tom Kyte's books focus more on the application development side of Oracle administration than they do on the system configuration side of Oracle. Chapter 1 of both of his books is a must read for anyone who believes that all databases are the same - just digital dumping grounds for data. If you still are not convinced that a database is not just a digital dumping ground, pick up a copy of "Cost-Based Oracle Fundamentals" by Jonathan Lewis. If you are interested in determining WHY your programs runs more slowly on Oracle, pick up a copy of "Optimizing Oracle Performance" by Cary Millsap - the 10046 trace at level 8 or level 12 will tell you why your program is running slowly.

Charles Hooper
PC Support Specialist
K&M Machine-Fabricating, Inc. Received on Wed Jul 26 2006 - 06:16:08 CDT