Oracle PL/SQL Programming, 4th Edition

Chapter 20. Managing PL/SQL Code

Writing the code for an application is just one step toward putting that application into production and then maintaining the code base. It is not possible within the scope of this book to fully address the entire life cycle of application design, development, and deployment. We do have room, however, to offer some ideas and advice about the following topics:

Managing and analyzing code in the database

When you compile PL/SQL programs , the source code is loaded into the data dictionary in a variety of forms (the text of the code, dependency relationships, parameter information, etc.). You can therefore use SQL to query these dictionary views to help you manage your code base.

Using native compilation

Beginning with Oracle9i Database, PL/SQL source code may optionally be compiled into native object code that is linked into Oracle. Native compilation can noticeably improve overall application performance (its impact is felt in compute-intensive programs, but does not affect SQL performance).

Using the optimizing compiler and compile-time warnings

Oracle Database 10g Release 1 added significant new and transparent capabilities to the PL/SQL compiler. The compiler will now automatically optimize your code, often resulting in substantial improvements in performance. In addition, the compiler will provide warnings about your code that will help you improve its readability, performance, and/or functionality.

Testing PL/SQL programs

This section offers suggestions ...