Month: July 2007

July 10

A customer asked me how this XMLTable XML function works… Until now they had to use the TABLE(XMLSEQUENCE()) constructor.

While testing performance differences between a RedHat AS V3 (Oracle Enterprise Version 10.1.0.3, RAID 1+0) machine and a full blown LPAR IBM AIX 64b 5.3 environment (Oracle Enterprise Version 10.2.0.2) with EMC (RAID 5) they wanted to use the XMLTABLE XML function.

Why? Oracle promotes the use of the XMLTable function on 10.2.x and higher Oracle versions. My belief is that the TABLE(XMLSEQUENCE()) constructor will be deprecated in favor of the XMLTABLE function. Also the XMLTABLE function supports XQuery functionality.

They had a simple statement to test with.

July 10

My laptop was stolen, so now fiddling around with a new laptop I take my chance to switch.

Searching for a Linux brand and not sure which one to pick, I ended up with Oracle Enterprise Linux 5. Apparently this has been released in June and is downloadable via the main site http://linux.oracle.com.

Why Oracle?

Not completely sure, but in the end this is a RedHat distro (RedHat AS V5?) and Oracle released it’s software on RedHat first. Second, I can get a support license via my employer. Also I am a Oracle DBA and knowing my base (the OS where my database relies upon), is always a good thing (a database NEVER stands alone, know your surroundings !).

My laptop is a DELL D820 Latitude.

My first setup in mind is:

  • A Linux distro (so now in my case, I give a try at Oracle Enterprise Linux 5)
  • Oracle Database 11g EE on Oracle Enterprise Linux
  • Crossover (I don’t want to switch to a virtual environment for Windows apps all the time)
  • VMware Server (to have an Windows alternative at hand when I need it)
  • Sonicwall VPN connection alternative/solution…?
  • Bittorent, music and video (XViD and stuff)

So lets see where this gets me.

July 4