Oracle Database Development

1Understanding the Database

Often we think of databases as "Just an Excel spreadsheet only bigger" and it is true that sometimes we commence building database applications by simply loading data from a spreadsheet. But the fundamentals of a relational database system are so much more than just storing data in rows and columns. To build applications that perform well and also guarantee data accuracy, we need to impose some logic and rigour around our data. That is the premise behind relational databases. We want your journey on understanding database to be rewarding as possible, so choose whatever learning path below works best for you. On the left, Melanie Caffrey walks through a suite of long form articles on the fundamentals. On the right, Chris Saxon goes through similar topics but via videos and quizzes. Of course, feel free to do both to get the best learning experience possible!

2Building Applications

Having an understanding of databases, and the SQL interface to access the data is a great skill, but to put those newly acquired skills to work, we want to build applications that sit atop that data. One of the great things about database development with the Oracle Database is that you do not need to now learn a plethora of middle tier and browser languages to get started. Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a low-code development platform that enables you to build scalable, secure enterprise applications, with world-class features, that can be deployed anywhere. Using APEX, you can quickly develop and deploy compelling applications that solve real problems and provide immediate value. You don't need to be an expert in a vast array of technologies to deliver sophisticated solutions. You just focus on the data and on solving the business problem and let APEX take care of the rest.

APEX developer Anthony Rayner hosts this video that introduces the APEX product, and gets you building applications in less than 1 hour.

You don't have to wait for any approval or red tape to get started with APEX. You can start building applications right now! Click here to access a full learning curriculum for APEX including:

3Day 4 and Beyond!

With the education components above, you are well on the way to building enterprise class applications with a Data Driven focus for your customers. This point in the training outline might be an appropriate point to pause, and put your skills to good use. But as previously mentioned, there is so much more power left to explore in the Oracle Database. When you're ready, come back to this guide and explore some of the following topics to grow your knowledge even further! Once again, you can choose from whatever learning path below works best for you. On the left, Melanie Caffrey walks through the next level of SQL tools and techniques, and on the right, Chris Saxon goes through similar topics via videos and quizzes in Level 2 of Database For Developers. Of course, feel free to do both to get the best learning experience possible!

4A New Language!

At this point, you have a solid knowledge of the database and are well on the way to becoming a master of the primary mechanism for accessing, creating and modifying data, namely SQL. With Application Express sitting atop these two core facets of database development, you're a fully fledged database developer! But sometimes even SQL isn't the perfect fit for some of the coding complexities required by sophisticated business applications. Sometimes you still need a fully featured 3GL complete with all the norms of programming logic. Luckily with the Oracle Database, this does not force you further away from the data. PL/SQL, the programming language of the database lets you run conventional 3GL programming logic right inside in the database, eliminating networking latencies inherent in other languages and includes the simplest SQL interface to the database of any 3GL.

PL/SQL is incredibly easy to pick up, being based on conventional block coding languages you probably studied in your student courses. Here is a 12-article series to jump start your PL/SQL coding.

5Future Steps - Bigger Challenges!

There is no limit to the amount of knowledge and skills you can accrue on the Oracle Database. Even Oracle professionals with decades of experience constantly strive to improve their knowledge of the database. And of course, with every new release of the Oracle Database there is even more to learn! Make sure you have bookmarked this page, and you can keep coming back to this 4th stage of learning for challenges to broaden your knowledge.

Expand your horizons by trying any or all of:

• Become a master of Oracle Analytic SQL with this 6 module boot camp with over 30 video tutorials to help you become an expert with Oracle Analytic SQL functions!

• Get an understanding of the internal Concepts on which the Oracle Database is based. Learn about the memory and disk structures that sit underneath the Oracle Database. This book is not for the faint hearted, but anyone that reads it probably knows more about the database than 90% of database developers in the world.

• Get a deeper understanding of database indexing via this series of videos.

• Learn about the Flashback feature, which is unique to the Oracle Database via this series of videos.

• Get to know Partitioning to let your applications run on databases of huge size with no loss in performance or scalability.