Re: Query tool for smart usersQ
From: Daniel Morgan <damorgan_at_x.washington.edu>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 17:03:24 -0800
Message-ID: <1069549429.142468_at_yasure>
>
>
> Ooh! Good point, but I think it cant be helped. I guess a requirement
> for any tool is that the query should be a "Cancel Query"
> button for when the users query, as formulated, will finish somewhere
> around 2015.
>
> I'll have to look into "Discoverer". We need something with a pretty
> quick learning curve, or the user will get frustrated and just chuck the
> whole thing.
>
> Thanx.
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 17:03:24 -0800
Message-ID: <1069549429.142468_at_yasure>
Lee wrote:
>
>
> Daniel Morgan wrote:
>
>> Lee wrote: >> [Quoted] >>> I have some fairly tech friendly users who would like to be able to >>> do their own SQL queries. >>> >>> Two problems: >>> 1. Can anyone suggest a good book on SQL (better yet, Oracle's flavor >>> of SQL) that might be appropriate for people with >>> a technical mind set but pretty much zero background in databases, >>> Oracle, query languages, etc, >>> >>> 2. Natrurally we can set them (the users, I mean) with sql*plus BUT >>> thats pretty spartan. They would be using wintel clients to access >>> our remote UNIX server. >>> Can anyone suggest a better tool, either Oracle or thrird party? If >>> third party its got to be cheap (GJ Linker's SQL*XL >>> qualifies, for example) >>> >>> If Oracle, it has to be already bundled in with Oracle 8i enterprize >>> edition, hence "free" i.e. already paid for out of existing budget. >>> >>> Thanx in advance >> >> >> >> Given the users level of expertise ... a very small number it appears >> ... my advice would depend on whether they are querying against a data >> warehouse or production data. >> >> If production data I'd suggest Discoverer or Business Objects with >> someone competent putting together the end-user layer and providing >> training. >> >> If against a data warehouse those two tools are still good choices but >> for those with more skill, or a willingness to learn I'd suggest >> Crystal Reports. >> >> The danger with handing a SQL interface and a book over to the >> untrained is that they will quickly teach you how many different ways >> it is possible to create a Cartesian join.
>
>
> Ooh! Good point, but I think it cant be helped. I guess a requirement
> for any tool is that the query should be a "Cancel Query"
> button for when the users query, as formulated, will finish somewhere
> around 2015.
>
> I'll have to look into "Discoverer". We need something with a pretty
> quick learning curve, or the user will get frustrated and just chuck the
> whole thing.
>
> Thanx.
Cancel query buttons don't work. They just appear to work. The query will continue to run on the server. Look at setting up a query user profile and a query user with DBMS_RESOURCE_MGR.
-- Daniel Morgan http://www.outreach.washington.edu/ext/certificates/oad/oad_crs.asp http://www.outreach.washington.edu/ext/certificates/aoa/aoa_crs.asp damorgan_at_x.washington.edu (replace 'x' with a 'u' to reply)Received on Sun Nov 23 2003 - 02:03:24 CET