Agree! Thank goodness for consistent API for DBI. If only SQL syntax
could be that consistent!
Some last thoughts and I will fade into sunset on this topic....
DBD::ODBC has some other advantages in multi-vendor situation or project:
1. Point DSN to New DBMS -- Same script can be pointed at different data
source, just by giving the DBD::ODBC script a different DSN parameter.
Whether DSN points to text, Foxpro, DB2, oracle, SQL Server, etc. I
admit this is not a requirement in many applications.
2. Meta data Support -- For last few years, only DBD::ODBC seemed to
provide a consistent and complete way to access metadata: primary and
foreign keys, indexes, table/column definitions. This appears to be
changing w/newer DBI releases.
3. DB Properties -- The 'getting' private method of DBD::ODBC provides
access to SQLGetInfo to get DB properties about quoted identifiers, case
sensitivity of table/column names, owner/schema support ('owner.table'
syntax). etc. This is quite useful in building dynamic SQL statements
for different DB vendors.
On the downside:
---------------
1. Variants in ODBC drivers can be problem (or real pain in few cases).
2. ODBC is much more prevalent and common place on Windows, but not as
prevalent on Unix.
Anyhow, just some thoughts from the last few years.
Bill
Jeff Urlwin wrote:
>>
>>Your message shows you migrating from Sybase to Oracle. What about when
>>the customer (or your mgt) decides to use DB2?
>>
>>The other points are quite valid, but ask yourself about future DB
>>changes or multi-vendor situation? I like DBD::ODBC solution since my
>>group has had to deal w/multi-vendor situation.
>>
>
> I'm glad you like DBD::ODBC :)
>
> However, part of the DBI concept is that it provides a consistent api to the
> databases. Aside from date handling it does a great job.
>
> Jeff
>
>
>>Jeff Urlwin wrote:
>>
>>
>>>If you can, use DBD::Oracle. It will generally be faster and have less
>>>"layers" between you and the database.
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>
>>>Jeff
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi All,
>>>>
>>>> I want to migrate to migrate some existing Sybase Perl
>>>>Programs to work with ORACLE 9. Would it be better to go for
>>>>DBD::ODBC or DBD:ORACLE.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks in Adavance,
>>>>Arun
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Bill Cowan, Vice President R&D, Metagenix, Inc.
>>[EMAIL PROTECTED], 919-490-0034 X-218, Fax: 919-490-0143
>>URL: http://www.metagenix.com/
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
--
-- Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Cowan, Vice President R&D, Metagenix, Inc.
[EMAIL PROTECTED], 919-490-0034 X-218, Fax: 919-490-0143
URL: http://www.metagenix.com/
