1. Become a Bilingual DBA Oracle for the SQL Server DBA
Randy Knight
January 22, 2011

2. Randy Knight MCITP, MCDBA, MCTS, MCSE …
20 Years experience with Microsoft technology, focusing on SQL Server for the last 14.
Worked in a variety of settings, including six years as a Database Architect for match.com
Owner and Principal Consultant, SQL Solutions Group
Not an Oracle DBA, didn’t sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night

3. Objectives Translation between the worlds
Understand Terminology Differences
Understand the Similarities between the two platforms
Understand the Differences between the two platforms
Understand some of the SQL Differences

4. SQL Server Terminology
Instance
Installation of SQL Server
Includes physical files and in-memory processes
What you connect to
Database
Collection of Objects (Tables, Views, Procs…)
Has physical file storage
Schema
Grouping of database objects
Login
Credential used to access the instance
User
Database Level Object which provides access
Mapped to a Login

5. Oracle Terminology Instance Database Schema User
Processes used to access data
What you connect to
Database
Physical files used to store data
Schema
Collection of objects (Tables, Views, Procs …)
User
Credentials used to access a database
Tied to a particular schema
1:1 relationship with a schema

6. Mapping the Terminology
Instance
Database + Instance
Database
Schema
Schema ?
Login
User
User ?

7. Similarities Relational Database Optimizer Service you connect to
Normalization, Indexing, Design matter in both
Bad Data Model = Bad Data Model
Good Data Model = Good Data Model
Optimizer
Cost based
Execution Plans
Service you connect to
Listener
Instance

8. Similarities Features SQL Replication Mirroring / Log Shipping
SQL Server Peer to Peer
Oracle MultiMaster
Mirroring / Log Shipping
Types of Data Guard
SQL
Mostly the same
Fight over ANSI-92!

9. Differences Locking Methodology Clustering Multi-Platform
Optimistic vs. Pessimistic
Think Snapshot Isolation Level
Clustering
RAC is true Active/Active
SQL is Failover
Multi-Platform
Pros and Cons
Tons of Configuration Options
Complexity

10. Differences (cont.) Data Types Built-In Functions Too many to list
Google is your friend
You should also know how each platform maps to SSIS Data Types
Built-In Functions
Also too many to list
Example:
MSSQL: GETDATE()
Oracle: SYSDATE

11. SQL Language Differences
T-SQL is T-SQL
In Oracle, SQL <> PL/SQL
PL/SQL is the procedure language
SQL is vanilla DML language
The difference between the two is a big deal to Oracle DBAs
Performance impact of using PL/SQL

12. Example Differences Need for Dual() table AutoNumber / Identity INSERT
UPDATE
DELETE

13. Dual()
MSSQL:
select getdate();
Oracle:
select sysdate from dual;

14. Auto Numbering MSSQL IDENTITY Property Oracle Sequence
create table t1 (
col1 int identity(1,1)
col2 int);
insert t1(col2) values(3);
Oracle Sequence
create table t1 (col1
integer,
col2 integer);
create sequence t1_seq
increment by 1
start with 1;
insert into t1 values (t1_seq.nextval, 3);

15. INSERT INTO not optional MSSQL: Oracle:
insert mytable values('more text');
Oracle:
insert into mytable values('more text');

16. UPDATE No UPDATE FROM MSSQL: Oracle: update t1 set t1.col2 = t2.col2
from t1
inner join t2 on t1.col1 = t2.col1;
Oracle:
update (select
t2.col2 as src_2,
t2.col2 as tgt_2
from t1
inner join t2 on t1.col1 = t2.col1 )
set tgt_2 =src_2;

17. DELETE Oracle requires FROM MSSQL: Oracle: DELETE MyTable;
DELETE FROM MyTable;

18. Tools Oracle has nothing similar to SSMS Command Line
PL/SQL Developer?
Command Line
SQL*Plus
SQLCMD
Really requires 3rd Party
Toad seems to be popular
Others
No SQL Profiler Equivalent

19. Integration Linked Server / Database Links
Linked Server to Oracle is Easy
Other Direction depends on platform and Oracle Products
SSIS works great with Oracle
BI Stack
Analysis Services
Reporting Services
Oracle Drivers / Clients
32-bit vs. 64-bit
Gets funs with BIDS

20. Resources Oracle Technology Network Twitter
html
Twitter
#sqlhelp
#sqlpass
#sqlblog
#sqlsat
@randy_knight

21. Thank You! http://speakerrate.com/speakers/11314 Randy Knight
SQL Solutions Group
(801)
Linked In:
Twitter: randy_knight
Skype: randy.knight2