Re: choices regarding where to place code - in the database or middletier

From: Daniel Morgan <damorgan_at_x.washington.edu>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 11:01:56 -0800
Message-ID: <1075402857.512884_at_yasure>


Stu Charlton wrote:

> Daniel Morgan <damorgan_at_x.washington.edu> wrote in message news:<1075365124.32752@yasure>...
>
>

>>"Complete DBMS *dependence* means utilizing (all) those DBMS-vendor
>>specific functions that optimize or implement security, performance, and 
>>scalability (and other stuff)"
>>
>>and
>>
>>"Complete DBMS independence means that a system is not bound to a given
>>DBMS, because it uses only the functionality offered by the DBMS that is
>>accessible via DBMS-neutral syntax"
>>
>>What you suggest is a logical impossibility.

>
>
> I think I understand completely what Joe is trying to say, so I doubt
> it is a logical impossibliity. I suggest it's a communications gap.
>
>
>>In Oracle, for example, there is no better place to put code than in a 
>>package; for numerous reasons. No other database vendor has the concept 
>>... therefore throw packages away.

>
>
> That's not the suggestion at all. Packages are good things and should
> be used in any case you have stored procedures.
>
>
>>In Oracle and DB2 the best way to do numering is with a sequence. SQL 
>>Server and Sybase don't have them so throw sequences away. Of course SQL 

>
>
> Again, that's not the case. Keep your sequences.
>
>
>>Sorry Joe ... but your attempt to construe development to sell your 
>>company's product is a great way to do some things. Creating high 
>>performance scalable databases isn't one of them. Not once has Oracle 
>>won a benchmark contest with BEA using generic code. No one else will 
>>either.

>
>
> I think the point is not about generic vs. specific code. Genericity
> is a trade-off against performance, and isn't always applicable.
>
> The point, I believe, is about trade-offs of what features to use when
> you are building a commercial distributed system that involves several
> product sets. Performance is usually the primary consideration with
> any large system, but it rarely is the only consideration (except,
> perhaps, for benchmarks).

[Quoted] Please acknowledge that once your code is in packages and you are using sequences ... the code absolutely can not be compatible with code written for any other database product: No exceptions. It just will not be compatible and no quantity of bubble gum, paper clips, or rubber bands is going to make it compatible.

[Quoted] So while I will gladly acknowledge a communication gap I still can't get past thinking what you guys are proposing is a logical impossibility. If you disagree, and I suspect you do/will, then please provide an example of how you could use packages and sequences in Oracle and meet your stated objective.

-- 
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
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Received on Thu Jan 29 2004 - 20:01:56 CET

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