Problem solve
Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.
Problem solve
Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.
Oracle LEFT JOIN vs. LEFT OUTER JOIN: What's the difference?
Get an explanation of the different types of Oracle joins, including whether there's really a difference between the LEFT JOIN and LEFT OUTER JOIN syntax in PL/SQL. Continue Reading
What is the difference between a database engineer, architect and administrator?
Expert Michael Hillenbrand explains the difference between a database engineer, a database architect and a database administrator. Continue Reading
Why to give third-party Oracle database monitoring tools a try
Oracle DBAs can use features in Oracle Enterprise Manager under database licenses. But third-party tools may aid efforts to monitor and tune database performance. Continue Reading
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Battle through the recurring Oracle TNS mistakes admins make
TNS often poses problems for IT admins and can be difficult to navigate -- especially when it comes to an Oracle database. Here's how to avoid those common errors. Continue Reading
DBAs must master the art of database recovery management
Database administrators are usually concerned with backing up their databases. But they should spend more time focusing on database recovery as part of the backup process. Continue Reading
How to create an Oracle database link
From remote databases to database migrations, this tip shows you how to create an Oracle database link and avoid potential pitfalls.Continue Reading
How to fight higher Oracle licensing costs in the AWS, Azure clouds
Oracle essentially doubled cloud licensing requirements to run its software on AWS or Azure, but Oracle shops can fight back. Here's how to avoid a bigger Oracle licensing bill.Continue Reading
Database Performance Analyzer pumps up Bodybuilding.com's performance
Sean Scott, DBA for Bodybuilding.com, wanted a performance tool that ran like it was designed by a DBA. He chose SolarWinds DPA to handle performance and Cyber Monday peak loads.Continue Reading
What's the biggest trap for users in an Oracle licensing agreement?
The biggest Oracle licensing trap isn't in how you use the vendor's software, but in the license agreement itself and how easy Oracle makes it for customers to start out noncompliant.Continue Reading
Don't rush into cloud databases without a well-grounded plan
As more companies move to the cloud, it's important for DBAs to know both the good and the bad about managing Oracle cloud database systems before they take the plunge and migrate.Continue Reading
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Using Oracle ADDM reports to resolve SQL performance problems: Step-by step guide
Using Oracle ADDM is an effective way to resolve SQL performance problems, according to Brian Peasland. ADDM is his go-to tool for finding problem SQL statements.Continue Reading
Five SQL performance tuning tips: Using the right third-party tools
With the right tools, an Oracle DBA was able to resolve a SQL performance tuning problem in minutes rather than days. Here is how he uses those tools.Continue Reading
New orchestrator helps communication service providers
The new Oracle Communication Network Service Orchestration solution is designed to guide communications service providers onto NFV.Continue Reading
New president brings global change management skills to OAUG
The 2015 OAUG president, Melissa English, found a love of education in teaching her peers. Now she brings global change management skills to the OAUG.Continue Reading
How to use Patch Wizard to resolve Oracle EBS issues
Karen Brownfield shows the advantages of using Patch Wizard for Oracle EBS and how to use the Applied Patches, File History and Register Flagged Files components.Continue Reading
Making and controlling change in your HFM application
Hoa Pham explains the importance of extracting metadata from HFM into Excel and how to track the changes as you redesign your HFM consolidation. Your existing metadata can be a big advantage.Continue Reading
For Oracle disaster recovery, check your physical standby databases
Database expert Michael Abbey explains what's needed to ensure that your Oracle physical standby databases are vetted and work properly.Continue Reading
How to escape the no-win Oracle SLA as a DBA
Escaping the no-win Oracle SLA as a DBA is all about tying technology to business, according to two Oracle Database experts.Continue Reading
Oracle RDBMS vs. NoSQL databases in the era of big data
While NoSQL databases are a lower-cost, scalable alternative to Oracle RDBMS, they pose risks of data loss, says an expert at Oracle Collaborate 2014.Continue Reading
You don't need Oracle DB 12c Heat Map to prioritize, compress data
PayPal Database Engineer John Kanagaraj says an AWR workaround lets you prioritize and compress data in earlier ODB versions.Continue Reading
Does Oracle database technology make sense for your company?
Two Oracle database experts explain why it's crucial for companies to make a specific business case for every technology feature they wish deploy.Continue Reading
Collaborate 2014: Gaining greater value from software investments
In our Collaborate 2014 tweet jam, experts offer key insight into the software buying process -- and how to gain greater value from investments.Continue Reading
Oracle has a new security tool for Database 12c, data redaction
Oracle Database 12c adds a new security tool, data redaction. Here are step-by-step processes for using data redaction for data masking.Continue Reading
Oracle 12c's heat map tool and data optimization can improve storage
The heat map tool and Automatic Data Optimization features in Oracle 12c should help Oracle database shops improve data storage and compression.Continue Reading
Using Oracle Business Accelerators could speed up ERP deployment
Oracle Business Accelerators require midsize companies to work with a partner, but may ease some ERP deployment pains.Continue Reading
The art of creating an Oracle database consolidation strategy
A database consolidation strategy sometimes requires thinking outside the box. Here's a suggested plan for how to best go about starting.Continue Reading
When case is not the case in an Essbase ASO cube
Identical values in one Essbase ASO cube field lead to incorrect calculations in another. Find out what the problem is and how to fix it.Continue Reading
Achieving Oracle database consolidation with 12c and multi-tenant
Suffering from database sprawl? You might want to try Oracle Database 12c for database consolidation to ease management and infrastructure costs.Continue Reading
Eight tips for building hierarchies in Essbase Cubes
Rules for member names and aliases, as well as tips for prefixes, suffixes and consistency, will help you build solid hierarchies in Essbase Cubes.Continue Reading
Oracle in-memory database option: Potential licensing and hardware costs
Learn about the likely costs involved with the forthcoming Oracle Database 12c In-Memory Option.Continue Reading
ERP infographic: Pain points and their ease of implementation
Take a tour of various hurdles that IT professionals must face when implementing enterprise resource planning projects with this ERP infographic.Continue Reading
Three tips for using Oracle insert syntax to insert multiple rows
If you're looking for insert syntax to insert multiple rows in Oracle, read these tips from three of our community members.Continue Reading
Batch updates to Oracle EPMA metadata
Learn how to manage your metadata using Oracle EPMA.Continue Reading
Using SQL Access Advisor to improve indexes and materialized views
Adding indexes and materialized views should improve query performance, but it's not always the case. Learn how SQL Access Advisor can ensure it does.Continue Reading
Encrypting data on Oracle SecureFiles
Transparent Data Encryption is now enabled for Oracle SecureFiles. Read up on how to use it here.Continue Reading
Lessons on Hyperion EPM implementations
Planning is at the forefront of a successful Hyperion EPM implementation, according to two experts.Continue Reading
How to perform Oracle Flashback Transaction Queries
Read how Oracle Flashback Transaction Query can eliminate the need to use Log Miner to reconstruct database transactions.Continue Reading
How to use Oracle SQL CUBE for cross-tabulation
Using the SQL CUBE function in Oracle SQL at the right time can cut down on how much querying you'll need to do.Continue Reading
Using Oracle Data Recovery Advisory for database backup and recovery
Read this tip from DBA Matthew Morris on using Oracle Data Recovery Advisory to identify and fix data recovery failures.Continue Reading
Administering Solaris Zones
This excerpt about Solaris Zones, in a book about Oracle Solaris 11, shows how to create and configure a Solaris Zone and manage it on your system.Continue Reading
Organizational change management plan is key to ERP projects
ERP expert Eric Kimberling says that an organizational change management plan is as important as the technical side of ERP projects.Continue Reading
Working with custom code in E-Business Suite upgrades
Dealing with software customizations may be the most challenging part of upgrading EBS. Learn how to make it a little easier.Continue Reading
Dynamic query failing with a single date condition
A reader asks Oracle expert Dan Clamage about a single date condition mucking up a dynamic query.Continue Reading
Hyperion 11.1.2.2 tips, tricks and trips (to avoid)
Additional custom dimensionality is the highlight of Hyperion 11.1.2.2, but there are other features and tricks to learn as well.Continue Reading
Managing Oracle connections from third-party apps
Oracle expert Brian Peasland answers one reader's question about common pitfalls when connecting Oracle to outside programs.Continue Reading
Five tips to improve your Oracle implementation methodology
Buying ERP software isn't enough. Having a good Oracle implementation methodology is also key to success.Continue Reading
Improve database performance with Oracle segment space management
Deleting database rows can create small data gaps that lead to slower table scans. Find out how to use Oracle segment space management to fix this.Continue Reading
Six tips for maximizing your PeopleSoft upgrade or other applications
Implementing a PeopleSoft upgrade is one thing. Getting the most out of the upgrade is another story.Continue Reading
Configure Oracle fine-grained access control for network services
Most Oracle databases don't need access to the network. So creating Oracle fine-grained access control for network services will help security.Continue Reading
Use Oracle dynamic sampling to improve database optimizer performance
To help an optimizer gather statistics more effectively, Oracle dynamic sampling comes to the rescue, according to database expert Matthew Morris.Continue Reading
Script writing rules for Oracle Hyperion Financial Management
Accountants hate having to play with scripts. In this tip, TopDown Consulting explains how to build script rules so that accountants don't have to.Continue Reading
The basics of Oracle database availability
Database expert Jeff McCormick introduces some basic Oracle database availability concepts such as uptime and mean time between failures.Continue Reading
How to tune Oracle instance recovery
Find out how to tune Oracle instance recovery in this tip from Matthew Morris, a renowned Oracle Database author.Continue Reading
Managing the cost-based optimizer in E-Business Suite
An OAUG board member and Oracle Applications DBA explains how to use the cost-based optimizer to manager E-Business Suite stats.Continue Reading
Perfect the Oracle RMAN duplicate 10g command
One reader asks expert Brian Peasland a question about datafile sizes with the Oracle RMAN duplicate 10g command.Continue Reading
Doing SQL arithmetic with SELECT instead of arithmetic operations
Learn how to do simple SQL arithmetic operations without using the arithmetic operators.Continue Reading
Managing SQL parent table-child table relations
Managing parent table-child table relations in Oracle SQL environments is key to efficient programming.Continue Reading
Three important facets of Oracle Hyperion project implementation
When implementing an Oracle Hyperion project, a company must be aware of technical, management and roadmap issues.Continue Reading
JD Edwards upgrade: Consolidate EnterpriseOne business units
Companies can consolidate their business units when doing a JD Edwards upgrade, but knowing how and when to do it isn't an easy task.Continue Reading
Oracle E-Business Suite R12 upgrade aided by checklists
A pre- and post-upgrade checklist will go a long way toward ensuring a successful Oracle E-Business Suite R12 upgrade.Continue Reading
How to copy Oracle Database 9i to a new server
Expert Brian Peasland explains to one puzzled reader how to copy Oracle Database 9i from one production server to another.Continue Reading
Confusion around PL/SQL to_date and to_char functions
One reader asks expert Daniel Clamage about the PL/SQL to_date and to_char functions and how to properly convert date and string values.Continue Reading
Tips for designing JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Android mobile applications
A SearchOracle.com guest columnist explains how to build an Android mobile application that connects to Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne.Continue Reading
Why won't TNS listener connect with Oracle Database 11g 32-bit?
One reader asks why his 64-bit TNS listener won't connect with 32-bit Oracle Database 11g.Continue Reading
Demystify the Oracle E-Business Suite R12 Subledger Accounting Engine
Features within the Subledger Accounting Engine of Oracle E-Business Suite R12 represent big changes in how enterprises can perform accounting tasks.Continue Reading
Calling stored procedures inside user-defined functions in Oracle Database
In this expert answer, Brian Peasland explains how to call a stored procedure inside user-defined functions in Oracle Database.Continue Reading
Designing a fully automated interface from JD Edwards
Building a functional interface between JD Edwards and external systems such as a bank relies on six major steps.Continue Reading
Solve a PL-SQL error that creates dynamic tables
Oracle PL-SQL expert Daniel Clamage answers a question about a problem with doing an “insert” in PL-SQL to create a table dynamically.Continue Reading
Best practices for Oracle User Productivity Kit (UPK)
An Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) director explains her company's best practices for Oracle User Productivity Kit, also known as Oracle UPK.Continue Reading
Oracle licensing on Oracle Database Standard Edition
One reader asks two questions about licensing Oracle Database Standard Edition.Continue Reading
Hyperion upgrade creates issues with migrating Essbase data
One reader asks how to properly migrate Essbase data when upgrading from Hyperion 9.3.1 to 9.3.3 and then 11.1.2.1.Continue Reading
Best practices for implementing Oracle JD Edwards in the cloud
Oracle JD Edwards shops thinking of migrating some of their applications to the cloud should follow some best practices to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.Continue Reading
Oracle third-party support has benefits, drawbacks
Expert Al Marmero describes the pluses and minuses of Oracle third-party support. Cost, quality and potential litigation are all key considerations.Continue Reading
How to copy an Oracle database
Contributor Raymond Lefebvre, a database director, explains how to do one of the most common things DBAs are required to do – copy an Oracle database.Continue Reading
Partitioning and Oracle licenses
One reader asks expert Scott Rosenberg from Miro Consulting about partitioning Oracle software licenses.Continue Reading
Understanding Oracle Exadata Smart Scan
Expert Shyam Varan Nath explains what Oracle Exadata Smart Scan does and how it can improve query performance on Exadata.Continue Reading
Making Monday the start of the week in Oracle SQL
One reader asks how to set up a report in Oracle SQL so that Monday is the first day of the week.Continue Reading
Create business rules in Oracle Hyperion Financial Management
Data units are the key to forming great business rules for Oracle Hyperion Financial Management, according to Brian Wilson from TopDown Consulting.Continue Reading
Improve the Media Recovery Process (MRP) in Oracle Data Guard
One reader asks expert William Cullen why the Media Recovery Process (MRP) in Oracle Data Guard shouldn't be used in multi-node Real Application Clusters (RAC) environments.Continue Reading
How Oracle Virtual Private Database helps consolidation
In this third part of a series on Oracle database consolidation, contributor Jeff McCormick explains how the Oracle Virtual Private Database (VPD) can promote and encourage Oracle database consolidation.Continue Reading
Working with binary large objects (BLOBs)
One reader asks how to create and retrieve a binary large object (BLOB), and SQL expert Karen Morton gives some comprehensive advice and tips.Continue Reading
Creating a virtual SQL table for date values
One reader asks how to use SQL to track his company employees' absentee days, and expert Dan Clamage suggests creating a virtual table.Continue Reading
Oracle licensing with logical partitions (LPARs)
One reader asks about what Oracle licensing his organization must have if they have an environment with two LPARs with one active node.Continue Reading
Using inline view to better query joined tables
One reader asks how to best query data from two joined Oracle tables.Continue Reading
Oracle license requirements in disaster recovery scenarios
One reader asks whether they need an Oracle license to back up their database to tape.Continue Reading
Oracle licensing contracts: Price holds and vendor lock-in
Some aspects of Oracle licensing contracts may seem like good things, but in the long run they make your organization less flexible to negotiate new terms.Continue Reading
An introduction to Oracle licensing practices
Oracle licensing consultant Eric Guyer gives an introduction to Oracle licensing, and how it can be difficult to navigate complex policy and support language.Continue Reading
Oracle Database Appliance: How much it really costs
This column from consultant Eric Guyer breaks down the hardware and software costs of the Oracle Database Appliance, unveiled last week and targeted for smaller businesses.Continue Reading
The basics of batch in Oracle environments
Learning how to perform batch processes in all different Oracle environments is a stepping stone toward automating business processes.Continue Reading
Mirroring in Oracle RAC and Data Guard
A reader asks a question about mirroring on Oracle RAC using Data Guard.Continue Reading
Copy Oracle Database but with no data
One reader asks how he can make a copy of his Oracle Database but not have any data in it, for test purposes.Continue Reading
Dealing with Oracle Database bottlenecks
Unclogging Oracle Database bottlenecks can range from simple SQL re-coding to examining CPU use and monitoring the network infrastructure.Continue Reading
Oracle RAC and distance limitations
One reader asks what the Oracle RAC distance limitations are for two environments being run in sync.Continue Reading
Object privileges in Oracle database security
A reader asks a question about the GRANT OPTION as it relates to object privileges in Oracle database security.Continue Reading
Oracle Hyperion 11.1.2.1 migration features and hiccups
Migrating to Oracle Hyperion got easier with version 11.1.2.1, but there are some issues such as with Essbase Studio that should be fixed in future versions.Continue Reading
Oracle perpetual license policies
One reader asks about his company's Oracle software licenses that they want to drop support on, saying that Oracle wants them to discontinue product use altogether.Continue Reading
Virtualization's impact on Oracle licensing and support
Oracle's virtualization-related licensing and support policies can get confusing, but there are some tricks you can learn to simplify the process.Continue Reading
Oracle XML capabilities in Oracle Database 11gR2, part 1
New Oracle XML capabilities in Oracle Database 11gR2 allow for easier reading and manipulation of XML documents, according to columnist Jeff McCormick. In part 1, McCormick introduces the reader to XML capabilities in Oracle Database and sets up a ...Continue Reading
Most valuable skill: DBA, PL/SQL or Oracle Forms
Want to know what skill -- DBA, PL/SQL or Oracle Forms -- is most valued in the IT industry today? Hear from SearchOracle expert Dan Clamage on the topic.Continue Reading
Creating lookup tables that support a drop-down menu for categories
Want to create tables to support drop-down menus for categories in PL/SQL? Learn how in this tip from PL/SQL expert Dan Clamage.Continue Reading