|
David,
I've
used Designer (and Oracle*CASE before it) for about 10 years now. I've
always used it for logical data modelling and physical database
implementation. In my Developer past, I've done a ton of Oracle Forms and
Reports generation from Designer, as well as Web Server Generator apps.
All my PL/SQL stored packages have always (and still do) live in
Designer.
Now
that I'm focussed on Development DBA work, I user Designer for physical database
design and implementation and PL/SQL package development. It is wonderful
for specifying tables, along with their constraints, indexes, triggers, etc.,
etc. then generating the DDL scripts to create the objects. Designer
even lets you deploy the same object, such as a table, with different storage
parameters to different databases - say, development, test, and
production.
The
reverse engineering functionality (called "Design Capture" in the tool) of
Designer is extremely useful. You don't have to create all the objects of
a database by hand, just point Designer at a schema and let it suck up all the
details into the Designer Repository - a real time saver.
There
is definitely a *steep* learning curve associated with Designer and the benefits
of the tool are more along the lines of quality, consistency, impact analysis,
etc. rather than more rapid development and/or deployment. Get some (or
lots) of training and hire a Designer "Guru" to spend some time with you
showing you some good techniques for doing what you want to do. Don't get
an expert in Oracle Forms generation to help you with Designer's DBA
functionaliy, however. Get the "Guru" that has the specific expertise you
need. Check out the Oracle Development Tools User Group (ODTUG) at www.odtug.com for info on how to subscribe
to the Designer (and other) lists, which are hosted along with this list right
here at FatCity.
Designer is HUGE, but you can successfully and
profitably use just the pieces you want.
Jack
--------------------------------
|
- Best Uses for Oracle Designer 2000? David Wagoner
- RE: Best Uses for Oracle Designer 2000? Jack C. Applewhite
- RE: Best Uses for Oracle Designer 2000? Mercadante, Thomas F
- RE: Best Uses for Oracle Designer 2000? Vadim Gorbounov
