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• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Can I use special characters in Oracle table names?

  Learn why you may want to avoid using special characters in Oracle table names when they also have meaning in utilities or SQL scripts in this tip from Oracle database expert Brian Peasland.Continue Reading

• Oracle will now support Oracle RAC on VMware

  Oracle RAC on VMware will now be supported by Oracle, a change in support policy that could lead to more customers exploring the RAC-on-VMware platform.Continue Reading

• Users consider Oracle EBS R12 upgrade as Premier Support for 11i ends

  Premier Support for Oracle E-Business Suite11i ends Nov. 30, and end users must decide whether to move to Extended Support, which brings fewer features and higher maintenance fees, or do an EBS R12 upgrade.Continue Reading