Deploying Oracle Database with VB

[VBFnewcomer]

Hi G&G
All this time I was (and still) under the impression that Oracle needs to be installed prior in a client machine, if one intends to use Oracle db as backend. But today one programmer says it is not necessary. Oracle (or its reqd components) can be deployed something like we usually do with Access.

The siuation is like this, we have a db in oracle with some essential tables having data, while other tables without data (to be filled by user using the front end VB).

Our goal is to ensure all the necessary db/tables gets installed and the SQL specific to Oracle runs. But we don't want the Oracle itself get installed.

Front End is VB6.

Ofcourse the programmer declined to divluge more saying its Technical (read secret)

Can someone shed some light.

Thankz in advance

[GaryMazzone]

What is the real question here? Is the oracle database server already running? Are you going to install the database schema onto that current database? Is the client softwatre (SQL*Net) already installed on all the clients? Do you have a user allready installed? Is the database instance already running on the Server?

[VBFnewcomer]

Thanks for the response Gary
1. There is Oracle SW (client/ otherwise) intalled in the client machine
2. Oracle 9i is now available only in the developing environment
3. We are trying to get the db/tables installed in client and run it.

[GaryMazzone]

The tables are created on the database server not the client machine. This can be accomplished by as follows:
1. Creating a create database script to run on the server. Run all the create scripts to create the objects in the database (table,index,PK,FK, ...)
2. Take an export of the data from a current system (exp) and import on to the new server.

If you take route 2 you still need to create the database on the target server.

[VBFnewcomer]

tables are created on the database server not the client machine

could you elaborate a little, so that I could give a better feedback

[GaryMazzone]

I think it is pretty clear. The database resides in an Oracle Instance on an Oracle database server. That machine is not normally the client machine (unless this is going to be used on a personnel machine).

[VBFnewcomer]

This is going to be used on a personal machine

[GaryMazzone]

In that case it is easier. Just run your scripts to build the database instance on the machine, then either import an exsisting dump or run the scripts to build the database objects (tables,Indexes...)

[VBFnewcomer]

In that case it is easier

Thanks for being positive.

Just run your scripts to build the database instance on the machine

would not this again require Oracle to be installed in the client machine? If Iam not mistaken the so called scripts to create db/tables etc is for Oracle environment. Sorry if Iam sounding childish b'coz Iam one
To put it simply, while deploying an access db we donot require access to be running in client machine. In fact we do not require any office appln in their system. We want to duplicate this.

[si_the_geek]

Actually for Access you do need software (Jet) to be installed.. the difference is that there is a version of it included with Windows, so you don't 'need' to deploy it yourself (but to be safe, you should).

For other database systems, you will need to install the relevant software (Oracle Express?) as well as your program.

[GaryMazzone]

If you want to use Oracle on the client machine you must install Oracle database server on that machine. This can be the Oracle XE edition which is free to use, but it absolutely needs to be installed on the computer that will run the database.

[VBFnewcomer]

If you want to use Oracle on the client machine you must install Oracle database server on that machine. This can be the Oracle XE edition which is free to use, but it absolutely needs to be installed on the computer that will run the database.

Are you saying:
1. I add the software oracle XE in my distribution CD
2.force the client to first install the same in his machine,
3.then somehow run the scripts (to create user,tables etc),
3.find the location of the database and set the connection properties accordingly.

[GaryMazzone]

1 Yes.
2. Most definately
3. Yes this can be scripted in SQL command file. You will create the database, create the user, run the scripts to build the database objects.
4. Since this is Oracle XE (and I assume here that it will be the only Oracle instance on the machine) you just call the localhost and nothing else. Since it is the only instance on the machine the app will connect to it. You can not connect to it from other machines.

[VBFnewcomer]

you just call the localhost and nothing else

call how??? sorry pls bear with me

[GaryMazzone]

Do you have any experience using Oracle and SQL Plus (both the command line and Windows versions)?

have you ever created a database from the command line? Are you a DBA (or have DBA experience), if not this will not be an easy task for you. You would need a DBA to write the code to create the database and bring it on line. Including making and starting the required services.