Oracle High Performance Tuning for 9I and 1Og

by Gavin Powell

There are three parts to tuning an Oracle data modeling, SQL code tuning and physical database configuration.

A data model contains tables and relationships between tables. Tuning a data model involves normalization and de-normalization. Different approaches are required depending on the application, such as OLTP or a Data Warehouse. Inappropriate database design can make SQL code impossible to tune. Poor data modeling can have a most profound effect on database performance since all SQL code is constructed from the data model.

Poorly written SQL code is often a culprit of performance problems and is expensive to rectify. However, tuning of SQL code is generally cheaper than changing the data model. SQL code tends to be contained inside independent blocks within applications or stored procedures.

Physical database tuning involves hardware resource usage, networking and various other Oracle things such as configuration and file distribution. Physical configuration is often a culprit of poor performance where Oracle is installed with defaults, and never altered by an expert.

*Includes all three aspects of Oracle database data model tuning, SQL & PL/SQL code tuning, physical plus configuration tuning
*Contains experienced guidance and real-world examples using large datasets *Emphasizes development as opposed to operating system perspective

544 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2003

About the author

Mike McCallister is devoted to the idea that technology need not be feared, and can be mastered by anyone. After all, he grew up in the days when computers filled entire rooms, and spent 13 years as a civil service clerk doing nothing more technical than recording WordPerfect macros.

He is devoted to making computing easier for the full spectrum of user levels and experience. As a technical writing consultant, freelance computer magazine writer, and book author, he understands that ordinary people can and should make the most of their tools.

Besides Linux and open source software, interests include tools for communicating via the Web (blogs, social networks, wikis, and the like) and bridging the digital divide.

McCallister has been running Linux as his primary day-to-day desktop operating system since 1999, but he also documents software for a variety of platforms as the Document Architect at PKWARE, Inc.

He writes a technology-oriented blog, Notes from the Metaverse. His technology stories have been published in places like:

LinuxJournal.com

LinuxWorld

Java Developer's Journal

SearchEnterpriseLinux.com

He is a compulsive joiner. Among the relevant groups: Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication, and immediate past president of the Wisconsin chapter; Web414, Milwaukee's Web Community; and the National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981.

He absolutely loves going to BarCamps and BarCamp-style events, especially BarCampMilwaukee. Occasionally, you'll also find him at the Milwaukee Linux Users Group

When he's not staring at computer screens (which he admittedly finds strangely alluring), you'll often find him trying to make the world a better place. Or reading, watching a baseball game or other sporting event (live or on TV), hanging out with the grandkids and walking around urban landscapes. "