Re: Pro*C vs OCI

Pro C is a pre-compiler for a 3GL language 'C' or 'C++'. It gives you all the flexibility and function libraries available with the compiler used with Pro C. Pro C encorporates a packaged use of the OCI provided by Oracle using predefined techniques. However, C types must be converted to host data types when "talking to the database". The latter is the main difficulty or I should say time consumer in working with Pro C as opposed to PL/SQL or a PL/SQL tool.

OCI is an interface provided by Oracle to write your own "low" level routines for accessing data from Oracle. It is usually used to provide functionality not available with the 3GL call interface, and hence is even more flexible than Pro C alone. It still uses the Pro C precompiler and your chosen 'C' compiler (different headers and libraries are used). Its not for the meek, and requires an excellent knowlege of "type" checking. However, it does allow you to reference and de-reference C types directly if thats your passion. Prior to the most recent advances in PL/SQL it was the only way to implement "recursive cursors".

Happy hunting!

MARANDA, SEBASTIEN wrote:
> =

> Hi,
> =

> I'd like to know what are the advantages of using ProC instead of OCI
> and vice-versa.
> =

> If possible, Do you know where I could find some doc on the subject.
> =

> Thanks.
> --
> Sébastien Maranda
> Solutions Informatiques en Téléphonie/
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Received on Thu Sep 10 1998 - 00:13:08 CDT