June 24

Though also a recap on presentations of Oracle Open World 2006, where I pinpointed on XML and XMLDB sessions, now it is time to go a little bit further into these great new features that will be available in Oracle 11g regarding XMLDB functionality. One of the big steps forward to full exploitation of these features is the new Binary XML storage.

Until XMLDB one could make use of (C)LOB or varchar2 datatypes to store XML data, both have their limitations regarding storing XML. The introduction of the XMLType datatype / XMLDB features, formed the base of what has become full support of almost every W3C XML standard out there. This datatype allowed storing XML data via “Schema based” or “Schema Less” principles; with or without references to a XML Schema.

XML data can be stored / presented via the standard relational tables. This can be achieved for XMLType Views. If XML data is based on the XMLType data type then storage of XML data could result in Object Relational storage or CLOB storage. A mixture of the two is sometimes also possible and is called “Hybrid” storage. XML data can be stored in a column or as an XMLType table.

October 25

Tuesday – Getting into the spirit

I am just joking, so far I haven’t seen an Elvis look-a-like in town, but I would be very interested how Thomas Kyte felt about his session this morning for this huge audience.

The conference paper

Mr. Thomas Kyte

But I will start with the beginning. I started off this Tuesday morning in the Hilton Hotel, with Thomas Kyte’s presentation “Things you think you know”. I hadn’t really planned this session, but I am glad, I am really glad I did. Mr. Kyte is a very gifted speaker and knows what he speaking of, which helps ;-).

Despite the fact that I had sometimes the feeling: “OK, what’s the big deal. It should be common knowledge or at least, if you use your common sense, it shouldn’t be a new topic to you”. The brilliant metaphors he used, were really priceless, funny and with al lot of wit addressed to the audience, so if that didn’t trigger them to think next time, then I don’t know how you should do it better.