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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

• Coexistence is the word for the latest Oracle cloud strategy

  Larry Ellison's recent announcement, made at the 2014 Oracle OpenWorld conference, that the company was refocusing itself on the cloud, made waves in the Oracle user community. Primarily because the company's plan to bring its Fusion Applications to...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

• Oracle Identity Management keeps test data secure

  Educational Testing Services uses Oracle Identity Management to manage access and keep SAT, GRE and Advanced Placement test data safe. PricewaterhouseCoopers recommends Oracle Identity Manager to its big banking clients with complex needs.Continue Reading

• Oracle Big Data SQL brings together SQL, Hadoop, NoSQL

  The new option for the Oracle Big Data Appliance, Oracle Big Data SQL, can simultaneously query Hadoop, NoSQL and SQL data and extend Oracle's management and security tools to all of them.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

• Pricing the Oracle big data architecture vs. commodity hardware

  Weighing the flexibility of commodity servers vs. the quick time-to-production of an appliance is key to a successful Oracle big data implementation.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

• Oracle in-memory database option: Intro and implementation

  Learn about the forthcoming Oracle Database 12c In-Memory Option and some preliminary considerations you need to take into account.Continue Reading

• Don't fear Exadata, baby take my hand

  Various IT administrators may feel like they'll lose control if their organization adopts Exadata. Not so, writes one consultant.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

• Online poker tracker finds MySQL compression to be an ace in the hole

  SharkScope's online poker database was growing faster than it could handle, causing concerns that the massive growth would slow customer wait times.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

• Unlock the potential of the Oracle Exadata architecture

  Despite being almost five years old now, many implementations haven't realized all of the Oracle Exadata architecture benefits.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

• Domain-specific Oracle master data management

  Oracle master data management products are starting to merge various data management hubs, which is a help in particular vertical industries.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

• Oracle application performance management done right

  Being proactive with your Oracle application performance management is crucial to stemming system slowdowns, according to this tip.Continue Reading

• Online patching support highlights upcoming Oracle EBS 12.2 release

  Oracle EBS 12.2 is expected out this year, and support for online patching will be one of its key features.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

• Are JD Edwards and Oracle mobile applications the future of business?

  Soaring mobility adoption means enterprises have to 'go mobile.' Learn why JD Edwards and Oracle mobile apps will change business in the near future.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

• How to survive an Oracle audit

  Surviving an Oracle audit comes down to understanding what's being asked for, good software license management and preparation.Continue Reading

• Accessing Hyperion financial information from mobile devices

  Pushing Oracle Hyperion financial information to mobile devices means considering what data to push there and what kind of devices your workers have.Continue Reading

• Using SQL SELECT and SQL UNION ALL statements to sort numbers

  Expert Dan Clamage explains how to use SQL SELECT and SQL UNION ALL statements to sort and visualize a set of sales figures.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

• Oracle and CedarCrestone: The third-party support battle continues

  Why is third-party support popular with Oracle users? Analysts and consumers tell us why. What to take away from the Oracle-CedarCrestone case.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

• Oracle's integration tools for real-time data

  Oracle GoldenGate, Data Integrator and Data Profiling are all tools that can be used for real-time data integration in Oracle environments.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

• Where to look for Oracle DBA learning materials

  Readers ask SearchOracle.com expert Brian Peasland where they can find learning materials for becoming a better Oracle database administrator.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

• Oracle Support ditching Flash interface for HTML

  Oracle will retire the Flash of its support portal, which had caused many Oracle pros problems, in favor of the more standard HTML version.Continue Reading

• More business content, mobile interest highlight Kscope12

  Mark Wilson from TopDown Consulting examines some of the better sessions from Kscope12, the Oracle Development Tools User Group conference.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

• Oracle faltered in pulling Itanium support, says analyst

  IT analyst Rob Enderle says that Oracle made a mistake in pulling support away from approximately 140,000 Oracle on Itanium customers, adding that right now “Oracle on Itanium is probably not a good idea.”Continue Reading

• More best practices for Oracle User Productivity Kit (UPK)

  An Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) member explains her company's best practices around Oracle User Productivity Kit (UPK).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

• Improve JD Edwards ERP user adoption with Oracle UPK

  An Infosys expert lays out four major ways to increase JD Edwards ERP adoption using the Oracle User Productivity Kit.Continue Reading

• Inconsistent data type error in Oracle Database 9i

  A reader asks SQL expert Daniel Clamage about an inconsistent data type error he's getting on a query running in Oracle Database 9i.Continue Reading

• Integrating non-Oracle applications into Oracle environments

  Oracle application integration becomes even more complicated when trying to integrate Oracle applications and databases with non-Oracle applications.Continue Reading

• Integrating Oracle applications brings complexity

  Oracle’s various investments and acquisitions over the past decade have some customers struggling to integrate it all, although Oracle’s own middleware might be able to help.Continue Reading

• Las Vegas expands its Oracle business intelligence horizons for better government transparency

  The city of Las Vegas underwent a three-year Oracle business intelligence project to bring more data to its employees and the public. The city's IT manager explains how it happened.Continue Reading

• Support of Oracle customizations

  Sebastian Grady, president of Oracle third-party support firm Rimini Street, explains how Oracle does not support Oracle software customizations.Continue Reading

• Oracle licensing on Oracle Database Standard Edition

  One reader asks two questions about licensing Oracle Database Standard Edition.Continue Reading

• Cost savings lure Oracle customers to third-party application support

  Going to third-party Oracle support means saving money and possibly having customizations supported. But concerns about upgrades down the road may provide pause.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