Christopher Lawson - Noted Oracle
expert and author of
The Art & Science of Oracle Performance Tuning
The purpose of this book by Robin Schumacher is to suggest
and illustrate a robust, comprehensive performance tuning
methodology.
With this methodology in hand, the author then provide
examples and scripts to show how this works in practice. Robin
points out the importance of proactively monitoring a
database, and modeling database performance. He shows the
difference between two key ways to approach performance
tuning: Ratio based versus Bottleneck Analysis. Each have
their place, he shows.
For instance, he notes that Ratios are good for getting a
quick "bird's eye" view of the performance. He correctly
cautions the reader, in the section entitled "The Dangers of
Blanket Ratios," about overly simplistic reliance on simple
ratios.
I found the discussion of the V$Sql_Plan view especially
helpful. I admit that I have not used this in my own
performance troubleshooting. After reading this book, I see
that I have really missed out on a powerful tactic! Robin
shows how to use this view to best effect. He includes
numerous scripts, which are available from the Rampant website
(I successfully downloaded all the scripts without a hitch).
For example, in the script "9iCartSql" Robin shows how easy
it is to find completed queries that used Cartesian Products
as part of the execution plan. He points out that this could
be an indication of improper join syntax. In another script,
he shows how to get a list of the exact SQL that caused scans
of large tables. In another example, he introduces the new
view V$Sql_Plan Statistics, and illustrates a way to obtain
the exact statistics for each step in the execution plan for
all SQL executed on the instance.
Do you get the idea? A lot of good ideas, along with the
exact scripts to use. All in all, an impressive volume to add
to your DBA "Tool Kit." I found the discussions clear and to
the point, and intend to use many of the the numerous,
practical scripts provided with this book.
As Mr. Schumacher points out in Chapter 1, "The IT
consultants who make the really big money are the ones who can
take a lethargic system and quickly turn it into one that runs
as fast as greased lightning." Thank you, Robin, for heading
us in the right direction!
Donald K. Burleson - Oracle guru and
author of 32 books
I have always been an admirer of Robin Schumacher, and this
book show his real talent for getting to the heart of any
Oracle problem. This is a very practical book, with many novel
code scripts, and a online code deport to save typing.
His approach is very practical; and the scripts are
ready-to-run and contain explanations so the output is
understandable.
Rob Young -
Louisville Kentucky
This is the perfect read for my DBA brethren who are
confused by Oracle's built-in version specific,
performance-related features. Robin Schumacher does an
excellent job of boiling down where you could versus where you
should concentrate your performance analysis efforts and then
provides simple, practical alternatives and methods for
diagnosing and correcting headaches familiar to most DBAs.
Where many authors limit the scope of such topics to
"down-in-the-database" mechanics, Schumacher explores how
external factors, such as foundational design and
infrastructure, need to be folded into the optimal
application/database performance mix.
A must read for anyone serious about managing and
optimizing performance across all versions of Oracle!
Matt Brody -
Clearwater Florida
This book makes finding those buried nuggets of Oracle's
keys to performance optimization very fast and easy. I found
the scripts to be an invaluable tool for learning by seeing
and a great way to understand what's going on under the covers
of the DB engine. It has fast become one of my most used
reference books and I highly recommend it.
Murugu
Manjurman - Great Book for
troubleshooting
I have always been a fan of Robin Schumacher, and I had to get
this book. I was not disappointed. Unlike many of the
self-proclaimed guru's, Robin makes all of the material clear
and simple. I really liked the online code depot and the
scripts ran right away.
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