Re: Oracle object-oriented database objects - opinions

Answers interspersed

tk wrote:

> Hope I'm not getting on folks nerves here :-) Just wanted to ask for more
> opinions as I'm picking up PL/SQL quite well. I've spent about 2-3 hours
> daily for the past few weeks and am just about finished reading (and working
> out alot of examples) my 2nd PL/SQL book.
>
> I have an object-oriented programming background (ie, C++ and Java) for the
> past 12+ years so I'm quite comfortable with the methodology. I noticed
> Oracle's newer support for Application Objects (ie,
> Polymorphism/inheritance)...
>
> A few questions:
> 1. What's the difference between an oracle object that supports inheritance
> and an oracle object that are triggers, procedures, packages, datatypes,
> etc?? Do you refer to the object-oriented objects by a different name than
> the regular database objects?

Oracle objects, in the strictest sense of the word are user-defined data types. Triggers, packages, and other code objects may be a form of encapsulation but do not support inheritance or polymorphism.

>
> 2. As neat as it is that Oracle supports this "newer" type of object which
> allows subtyping, how many out there are *really* using this feature?

Not as many as should be ... and generally for one of two reasons.

1. They don't understand them or how to work with them
2. Most third party tools such as ERwin, SQL*Navigator, TOAD, Crystal Reports, Brio, Cognos, etc. can't really work with them

> <snipped>
>
>
> I can see in a situation where one is using something like Oracle forms and
> the Database. In that case, maybe you don't have a true middle tier and
> then can offload business logic with PL/SQL.
>
> A few other Oracle gurus I have spoken to feel this way too. They say "It's
> neat that Oracle supports this but it's not going to be utilized much as
> application logic should typically be abstracted from the data model".
>
> So what's the best way to use these Object-Oriented features of Oracle??
> (ie, the METHOD, TREAT, BASE-DERIVED) Sorry for the "windbag" questions!!!
>
> thanks...

Types, Packages, User defined Operators, and Pipelined Table Functions.

--
Daniel Morgan
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/extinfo/certprog/oad/oad_crs.asp
damorgan_at_x.washington.edu
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