Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? This course provides comprehensive coverage of PL/SQL, Oracle's main programming language. PL/SQL is used to write stored procedures, triggers and other code stored in the powerful Oracle database. In addition, Oracle also uses this language in their frontend development environment, Developer, as well as their Web-based engine, Oracle Application Server. This course teaches you how to write PL/SQL programs to solve realistic business problems using Oracle's most strategic language. The development of an API (Application Programming Interface) for frontend code using an application framework for PL/SQL is emphasised. What are SQL and PL/SQL? SQL is a standard language used for accessing relational databases. Different relational database products have different procedural extensions to SQL. PL/SQL is Oracle's programming language, which provides procedural extensions in all Oracle environments. PL/SQL stands for Procedural Language (PL) extensions to Structured Query Language (SQL). What background should I have? A basic knowledge of SQL and PL/SQL are assumed. General database and programming experience is recommended. If you have attended Course 593, Oracle® Database 10g: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, or Course 925, SQL Programming Language: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, you should be sufficiently prepared for this course. Who will benefit from this course? This course benefits those involved in programming with PL/SQL, including developers, database administrators, programmers, analysts and managers. I have no programming experience. Will this course be appropriate for me? As this is not a course on the concepts of programming, a novice programmer will struggle. However, a working knowledge of SQL and Oracle will enable the motivated participant to succeed in their first step toward becoming an Oracle PL/SQL developer. Will I learn SQL in this course? No. This course covers PL/SQL, Oracle's programming language. The course assumes basic knowledge in SQL. If you are interested in learning SQL, look to Course 590 or Course 593 for introductory information. For more depth on SQL, considerCourse 234, Developing SQL Queries for Oracle® Databases: Hands-On. What version of Oracle PL/SQL is used? This course uses Oracle 10g and PL/SQL 10g. Because PL/SQL is the standard programming language across all Oracle environments, this course would be applicable even if you are using an earlier version of Oracle. Recent features are identified by release using a system of icons ("8i", "9i", "10g"). What operating system is used as the basis for this course? The operating system used in class is Windows. The course, however, is entirely independent of the operating system and is equally applicable for those using Oracle on alternative platforms. I am moving from another database to Oracle. Will this course apply to me? Yes! Each vendor's product has a different procedural language; PL/SQL is specific to Oracle. If you are coming from another database and plan to use stored procedures, triggers or other server-side programs in Oracle, this course is exactly what you need. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Introduction and overview 2.0 Data manipulation techniques 3.0 Developing well-structured and error-free code 3.0 Structured error handling with exceptions 3.0 Achieving maximum reusability with subprograms and packages 4.0 Programming with cursors and cursor variables 3.0 Exploiting complex datatypes 3.0 Creating scalar, aggregate and table-valued functions 2.5 Invoking native dynamic SQL 2.0 Using triggers for business logic 2.5 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. What kinds of workshop exercises are included? More than 40% of the course is dedicated to the hands-on development of PL/SQL code. Each exercise is designed to reinforce the lecture material, using realistic problem statements. To conclude the course, a comprehensive workshop permits you to use your acquired knowledge and skills in a team environment. Specific hands-on exercises include: Writing simple blocks utilising variable definitions and flow control constructs Accessing the database to retrieve and maintain data Performing complex data manipulations with cursors Coding dynamic SQL using Oracle's latest native extension Debugging and testing PL/SQL blocks Handling EXCEPTIONs in a structured manner Storing procedures, functions and packages in the database Writing user-defined SQL functions Grouping stored code in packages Creating triggers to handle data integrity and data derivation Writing cursor variables to feed frontend code Handling complex data types with PL/SQL tables Using packages to design real-world applications What version of Oracle is used? This course is currently running on Oracle10g, Release 2 on the Windows platform. Why should I take this course instead of one offered by Oracle? Learning Tree is dedicated to helping accelerate the careers of our clients by providing them with world-class technology and management training. Our independence from Oracle (and any other vendor) allows us to give an unbiased view of what works and what does not. This course is objective in its approach, having been developed independently from Oracle by industry experts who bring their real-world experience to the classroom. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? 492, Application Development and Tuning for Oracle® Databases: Hands-On  provides the extensive knowledge and skills needed to create powerful and secure Oracle database applications Additional related courses include: 593, Oracle® Database 10g: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction,  offers a comprehensive introduction to the relational features of Oracle Database 10g 594, Oracle® Database 10g Administration: Hands-On , provides the fundamental knowledge and skills to create and configure Oracle Database 10g, manage memory and storage effectively, and deploy essential procedures to maintain your organisation's data 234, Developing SQL Queries for Oracle® Databases: Hands-On offers the skills needed to write robust, reliable and efficient SQL queries 382, Relational Database Design, Tools and Techniques: Hands-On , provides a strong foundation for designing, building and working with relational databases

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