Re: Python vs. PL/SQL for Oracle work

On Thu, 02 Mar 2006 05:37:12 -0800, dananrg wrote:

>
> Although I'd love to see some healthy debate about Oracle Spatial vs.
> ESRI ArcSDE (Spatial Database Engine). Actually, ArcSDE is nice because
> it's supported on all major RDBMS platforms (e.g. Oracle, SQL Server,
> DB2, etc) and migration isn't a huge issue. Fight it out, but I'll bow
> out and enjoy the fireworks.

Oracle SPatial is

• a vendor neutral storage mechanism (update data using ESRI, pull the same data using MapViewer, MapInfo, whatever) which might save money by being able to mix clients. In fact, with the free open source GIS clients happening these days I can imagine some interesting apps ...
• a way of putting queries based on spatial information into effect without needing an intermediate step. The example I use is

"give the the phone numbers of the rural emergency contacts within a 200 mile buffer of the train derailment and resulting environmental spill. I don't care about the pitcure - I need to start making phone calls."

With a typical GIS engine, this is either not possible or needs a second step (list the communities, go to a second system and extract the phone numbers) whereas Oracle Spatial allows it in one SQL statement and it can involve multiple databases via db links & heterogeneous services.

So I see ArcSDE a vendor lock-in thing <LOL>

I admit that my knowledge of ESRI is no longer 'current' and freely accept and invite updates.

-- 
Hans Forbrich                           
Canada-wide Oracle training and consulting
mailto: Fuzzy.GreyBeard_at_gmail.com   
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