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Connor McDonald

Thanks for the question, ashish.

Asked: November 28, 2018 - 1:57 pm UTC

Last updated: December 12, 2018 - 3:30 am UTC

Version: 12C

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You Asked

Hi Tom,

I worked for around 14 years as Oracle developer, over SQL, PL/SQL, Forms Reports and APEX.
Now since 2018 we are observing major changes like people are using Rest API rather direct backend coding.

So what should a traditional Oracle Developer should learn in 2019.

Thanks,
Ashish

and Connor said...

I'll give the same advice I gave a similar question about the DBA career.

The world is moving toward diversity. I think the days of developers being a "PLSQL developer" or a "Java developer" etc are coming to an end. Yes we will want people that *specialise* in a particular field, but we'll also want them to have skills across a broad range of topics.

So the PLSQL developer of today will be the PLSQL/APEX/REST/GraphQL/Javascript/SQL skilled developer of tomorrow. In that way, you can assist the dedicated javascript developer to access the database intelligently. You'll understand how to debug an APEX application and where to move code to database-based PLSQL to improve performance and/or security.

So the focus (in my opinion) is now about breadth not depth of knowledge. And of course, it spreads into the Operations area as well (hence DevOps). So knowledge of cloud comes into play as well.

(I'll hold my thoughts on whether I think this is a good or a bad thing for the quality of application development in future).

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Comments

It Helps

ashish thakre, December 04, 2018 - 8:06 am UTC

Thank You Connor, for the guidance.

My two cents

Evan, December 07, 2018 - 12:08 am UTC

I've noticed two trends recently, which I believe impact what a PL/SQL Developer should learn:
1. With databases being moved to the cloud, there is less need for DBAs and the remaining DBA work is often being pushed onto developers so having some familiarity with DBA work is beneficial.
2. Most companies are now running two or more database platforms (e.g. where I work is predominately Oracle but there are a few SQL Server databases) so having knowledge of another database system is beneficial.

Connor McDonald
December 12, 2018 - 3:30 am UTC

Agreed.

Old is Gold

A reader, December 08, 2018 - 1:52 pm UTC

Long Live the PL/SQL developers

PL/SQL is still very much active in legacy institutions like Government. They do not change easily. They work very slow.

Disruptive technologies have literally disrupted the traditional ecosystem and only thing constant is change.

Oracle great product was a giant sleeping when AWS took over the cloud scenario as a novice beginner now a major player - rabbit and turtle story.

Oracle charging twice the license fees for aws cloud deployment another reason why clients moving away from Oracle. They just lacked the vision and could not see it coming. Sad thing I loved Oracle products but Oracle management is just not up to the mark. Have worked with Oracle since Oracle 6.

I wish Oracle was the cloud leader instead of aws. Then its technologies traditional /new would carry more weight. Though Oracle has some cloud offerings but they are just dead ears. Tried to bring in Oracle cloud in my company, their price was too high. AWS did that for much less. What do we call business arrogance - blind sighted -shortsighted vision.
Mr Larry please hurry -
Mr Ellison save the setting Sun -
learn from other companies mistakes before committing the same to learn the lessons. Learn from IBM , how windows took over from it.

Long live Oracle technologies. Long live PL/SQL.

Great thanks to our mentors Tom kyte,steven Feuerstein and all our new guys here at asktom.



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