Re: Oracle8i Spatial, R 8.1.7 EE

Thanks for the clarification and excuse my misunderstanding.

I agree it's hard to give any advice on this. Since distribution is a key requirement I would say choose the relational model and later migrate it to ORM when you upgrade to Oracle 9i with ORM replication support. SQLs and PL/SQLs in applications should avoid referencing tables directly - instead they should reference views when possible and efficient. This will ease the migration.

--
Giorgos

"Matthew Fuller" <matthew.fuller_at_byers.com> wrote in message
news:f69bc666.0106051240.4408c39f_at_posting.google.com...
> "Giorgos Tsiamitas" <gtsiam_at_gmx.net> wrote in message
 news:<Zv6T6.240$8i.9506_at_nreader1.kpnqwest.net>...


> > comments below


> >

> > "PD" <no_pdo_at_ibmws2.ipf.tuwien.ac.at> wrote in message

> > news:3B1CCEB0.43DF70C_at_ibmws2.ipf.tuwien.ac.at...

> > > Need help on Oracle8i Spatial - Release 8.1.7.

> > >

> > > I'm designing a spatial Oracle database using Oracle8i-Release 8.1.7.

> > > Enterprise Edition. I read the documentation:

> > > Oracle Spatial - User's Guide and Reference (a85337-01)

> > > On page 28 f. (Chapter 1.2 Object-Relational and Relational Models)

 they


> > > write:


> > >

> > > You should select the object-relational model in all cases except

 where


> > > the relational model is necessary for current needs. Basically, the


> > > object-relational model is preferable in cases where replication and

> > > distributed databases are not required. [...] In these environments,

> > > users can take advantage of the Oracle8i managed standby capability to

> > > get, in effect, read-only replication of database instances or

> > > tablespaces, and thus the object-relational model can be used. [...]

> > > 1.2.2 Benefits of the Relational Model: The following are some of the

> > > benefits of using the relational model, as described in Part II of

 this


> > > guide:

> > > * Database replication is supported.

> > > * Distributed databases are supported.


> > > * Table partitioning and parallel index loading are supported.

> > >

> > > I have to develop a distributed database and as I have to deal with a

> > > big amount of image data within this db I need to use replication. At

> > > least 'read-only replication'.

> > >

> > > So my questions:

> > > Is there a possibility for me to use the Object-Relational Model?

> > > If not:

> > > When is Oracle going to implement distribution and replication for the

> > > ORM?

> > > As I choose the relational model: How long this model going to be

> > > supported by Oracles' new releases?

> >

> > The relational model is going to be supported until a better and viable

> > alternative is found - I would say more than 5-10 years.

 Object-Relational


> > Model (ORM) is not considered to be such an alternative, neither in


 theory,


> > nor in practice. The relational model is around for 30 years or so and


 it's


> > going to stay here a lot more.


> >

> > Oracle, as all mainstream DBMSs, implements the relational model and

 adds


> > some limited support for objects, mainly  to facilitate abstractions. To


> > desupport the relational model would mean: 1. rewrite the entire

 software


> > from scratch, 2. lose their marketshare.


> >

> > So, go for the relational model and dont worry!

>
>
> The point of the question was not whether or not relational databases
> were being replaced by object or object/relational ones.  The question
> is specific to how Oracle implements the spatial data option.  The
> object/relational model is the only model that Oracle will support for
> spatial data in the future--specifically Oracle9i Release 2 will not
> support the relational model.  Here is the quoted text from the
> Spatial User's Guide for Oracle 9i Release 1 which is now available on
> OTN (http://technet.oracle.com).
>
> "This is the last release of Oracle Spatial that will support the
> relational geometry model; only the object-relational model will be
> supported in Oracle9i release 2. Information about the relational
> model has been removed from this guide and placed in a separate
> manual, Oracle Spatial Relational Model Guide and Reference, which is
> available on the Oracle Technology Network.
>
> If you have not already switched completely to the object-relational
> model, you should do so immediately."
>
>
> Given this, I'm not sure what advice to give.  A quick look through
> the Oracle9i doc's do not reveal that distributed database are or are
> not supported by Oracle9i Spatial.  I'm assuming they are since the
> relational model is going away in Release 2.  This would be an
> excellent question to post on the spatial discussion forum on OTN.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Matt.