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Connor McDonald

Thanks for the question, developer .

Asked: October 25, 2015 - 11:56 am UTC

Last updated: January 15, 2016 - 1:15 am UTC

Version: 11g

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You Asked

Hi,

I am Oracle DBA from last 1 year and wants to switch to developer But I am confused between pl/sql developer and java.
Actually I am interested in both and know basics of java as well as pl/sql.
which one should I go for the starting of my carrier.
Suggest me which is good for startup in the context of job,demand and scope.
I want to learn in a creative environment where I can do mistakes and should have efficient time to complete my work.That's it.

and Connor said...

They are not mutually exclusive.

I would learn both - that puts you in a good position of being a java developer who knows about the benefits of encapsulating code in PL/SQL. That's a rare thing nowdays.

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Comments

Which to choose first

Developer, October 26, 2015 - 5:41 am UTC

Which language should I choose first Java or pl/sql.
Will pl/sql is going to be in streamline for long time.
Who has more demand between these two.
Connor McDonald
October 27, 2015 - 11:39 am UTC

It's up to you.

If you're learning programming from scratch, PL/SQL is easier. Java is an object oriented language, which adds complexity.

PL/SQL will be around as long as the Oracle database exists.

If you want to compare popularity, check the TOBIE programming index:

http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/content/paperinfo/tpci/index.html

Which one should i go

Dev, October 27, 2015 - 5:43 am UTC

Which one should I go as a startup of my carrier.
Which of between this two has more demands in trems of opening and scope....
Connor McDonald
October 27, 2015 - 11:43 am UTC

See my response to the previous review.

Another option

John Gasch, October 27, 2015 - 5:50 pm UTC

May I suggest a third option to consider? Learn SQL - learn how to develop solutions to problems efficiently.
A software developer is not only a coder, but should also be a problem solver. Java and PL/SQL are programming languages. When confronted with a problem to solve, there may be many ways to approach it, but only few of those would be considered the 'best' approach.
Junior developers are often eager to write lots of procedural code, using the database as a data-store, when such logic could better be embedded in SQL, and likely run orders of magnitude faster with far fewer lines of code to maintain.
Learning SQL is more than knowing the syntax and understanding how to do the various joins, and having a cursory awareness of analytic functions. Rather, really learning SQL is understanding how to decompose a problem and map a solution using relational logic. It is knowing how to use all of the tools in the SQL toolbox, and how to effectively apply those tools. And, a most valuable skill is knowing how to build a problem-solver that will run efficiently.
Chris Saxon
October 27, 2015 - 9:41 pm UTC

Excellent points.

Yes,Point suggested is great...

Dev, October 28, 2015 - 5:46 am UTC

Yes,Point suggested is great.Indeed I have started from SQL.
but my main doubt was that if I go with pl/sql is there any chances that demand for it would be declining or out of streamline.
Cause java I know no competition with it.
Connor McDonald
October 28, 2015 - 6:26 pm UTC

An easy proof of that - go to www.oracle.com/openworld and check all the sessions that refer to PLSQL. Its here to stay.

But no reason why you should not be skilled in both.

Hope this helps.

And you can even do Web development with a little PL/SQL...

Joel, January 14, 2016 - 12:15 pm UTC

Let's not forget - you can build beautiful and modern Web applications with just a little knowledge of SQL and PL/SQL. It's called Oracle Application Express (APEX). Even DBAs can and do use it.

After all, the system you're using now, AskTom, is written in Oracle Application Express!
Connor McDonald
January 15, 2016 - 1:15 am UTC

Indeed.