Oracle Database 10g PL/SQL Programming

I have attempted to learn pl/sql for a few years now and have been unable to find a book that pulls it all together. This book gently introduces you to a topic and then then shows you how to apply it. The comical nature of the author also makes the book interesting and fun. I believe its a must read for anyone attempting to learning pl/sql.

This book does a great job of covering all of the PL/SQL language, as well as covering pointers about SQL Plus and some preliminary config. It does a good job of covering basic and fundamental PL/SQL, as well as covering newer features for those of us that have been coding in it for years. Newbeeis and Vets will both get a lot from this book.

I've only been completely through various sections that are relevant to projects that I am now working on. However, even though it isn't written for the novice, the general info has already proven to be an incredible refresher that takes the reader into great depth and with a wide variety of real world examples that make sense and work. No more old broken examples that never did work. Yipee!!! Of particular interest to me is the information on working with different composite data types. Also, if you want solid and extensive info on handling exceptions with PL/SQL, I highly recommend the book. From a readability standpoint, it is by far the best Oracle book that I've come across, taking rather dry confusing information, organizing it, and laying it out in a logical and useable fashion. Managers... know this book since it will be the title your new 10g PL/SQL hires will have been taught from. Particularly advantageous to those who teach will be NOT having to rewrite examples and the resulting loss of hair and sleep. Kudos

SQL developers experienced with non-Oracle databases or Oracle developers who are looking for a good reference manual should definitely pick up a copy of this book. Inexperienced SQL developers will probably get more out of Oracle Press' other excellent book PL/SQL 101. This book begins exactly the way experienced developers would expect-it starts out at a running pace. The book takes the next hundred-or-so pages just discussing PL/SQL basics. Where this book excels is in its examples. Each and every PL/SQL principle is clearly illustrated with many clear and relevant examples. The author then begins into a discussion of advanced PL/SQL techniques, which includes a discussion of cursors, built-in functions, and records. The middle section of the book covers management and syntax of Oracle packages and functions. This excellent discussion covers such issues as package scope and permissions. This discussion naturally leads into advanced PL/SQL techniques including transactions, pipes, and various built-in DBMS packages. Finally, the book rounds out its PL/SQL discussions by reviewing use of Large Objects (LOB). In this section, the author discusses use and retrieval of data in this format. I would highly recommend this book to experienced Oracle or even non-Oracle developers who want to sharpen their PL/SQL skills or who are looking for a really good PL/SQL reference. This is a must-have book for anyone serious about their PL/SQL development work.