Re: How to interface WWW Unix server with Novell oracle server
Date: 1995/07/10
Message-ID: <3tr7qv$e5k_at_pong.lasc.lockheed.com>#1/1
In article <3tkcrt$ddj_at_inet-nntp-gw-1.us.oracle.com>, rhodge_at_us.oracle.com writes:
> z50816_at_mip.lasc.lockheed.com (Terry Greenlaw) wrote:
> > jhaverty_at_us.oracle.com (Jack Haverty) writes:
> >
> >Another good solution is to use Perl in combination with a database driver
> >like DBI. Perl does a MUCH better job of dealing with flat files and text. The
> >other big advantage is that you aren't restricted to using a single RDBMS. I also
> >like not having to buy SQL*Net (or anything else for that matter, it's all free)....
>
> Just a couple points to clarify. Perl is a much more robust language for
> handling flat files, but if you want your structured data in a database,
> or you already have all of your info in a Oracle7, then WOW in
> conjunction with PL/SQL is a better fit. Your developers will already
> understand PL/SQL, and you will enjoy the advantage of being able to
> create dynamic HTML right in the stored procedures and delivering
> completed pages back to your web server.
>
> Also, with either the WOW or Perl/DBI solutions you will need OCI and
> SQL*Net to reach the remote Oracle7 database.
>
> Finally, if you're searching for something in the middle, check out the
> ORAYWWW gateway written Perl. ORAYWWW is part of the Oracle WWW Interface
> Kit. You can learn more about it by going to the WWW Int Kit info under
> Free Trial Software on http://www.oracle.com.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Randy Hodge
> Internet Products Group
> Oracle Corp.
>
With Perl5 and the DBI/Oracle module you have full access to Oracle (including PL/SQL), but also have the option of using perl, 3GL's, or OS code (ie Korn shell scripts, DOS batch files (yuch!)) interchangebly, giving you access to the best language for the task at hand. Also, because Perl is intrepreted, you can store subroutines, modules, or entire applications in the database, and simply select the code you want at runtime.
The Perl CGI module does a great job of generating dynamic HTML, as well as storing state information. I was also able to remove the need for SQL*Net by implementing a simple (< 100 lines of code) TCP/IP client/server module in Perl.
The advantage to WOW is that it is a simple add-on to Oracle, while going with Perl does take a bit of work to get installed, and a bit more to add on each of the modules you need. The first module we added was the Tk extension so we could get rid of Forms 4.0.x perpetual beta ;-} (still hoping 4.5 Motif will show this year).
After trying both products, I would have a hard time advising a client to go with the WOW solution, but, as always, your mileage may vary ;-}
Terry Greenlaw (on-site _at_ Lockheed) Encompass Technologies z50816_at_mip.lasc.lockheed.com greenlaw_at_crl.comPolitians should be changed regularly, like diapers, for the same reason. - RHF The torch of chaos and doubt -- this is what the sage steers by. - Chuang Tzu Received on Mon Jul 10 1995 - 00:00:00 CEST