commit - Page 81 - Developer IT

Server down at 23:26 every night

- by miccet

We are having a big problem with our sites stability the last couple of weeks and after endless hours of troubleshooting I don't get anywhere. So I turn to you dear community. Setup: 2 x VPS servers - Front end, 8 core, 8G RAM. - Database, 5 core, 3G RAM. Both running Ubuntu. Ruby on Rails EE with Passenger 3 and Rails 2.3.11. MySQL 5.1.67. The problem is that each night, at the exact same time (23:26) the SQL server suddenly shows a processlist full of COMMIT with an increasing Time. After 30-40 seconds (can go longer) a wave seems processed and the site responds for a few seconds before it repeats. During this hick up the database server load spikes while the front end is relaxing. I have looked at slow queries, but is not finding any locks or other unusual queries ran at this time. I have looked at iotop at the time of the halt and there is no activity from mysql. I also tried turning off query_cache and messed around with the mysql configuration file without much change. Any ideas?

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Determining how all memory is used in Windows Server 2008

- by Mojah

I have a Windows Server 2008 system, which has 12GB of RAM. If I list all processes in the Task Manager, and SUM() the memory of each process (Working Set, Memory (Private Working Set), Commit Size, ...), I never reach more than 4-5GB that should be "in use". However, task manager reports this server has 11GB in use via the "Performance" tab. I'm failing in determining where all that used RAM is going. It doesn't seem to be system cache, but I can not be sure. It might be a memory leak in one of the appliances, but I'm struggling to find out which one. The server's memory keeps filing up, and eventually forces us to reboot the device to clear it. I've been reading up on how RAM assignments work on Windows Server: RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2267427 What's the best way to measure? http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/windows-7-memory-usage-whats-the-best-way-to-measure/1786 Configure the file system cache in Windows: http://smallvoid.com/article/winnt-system-cache.html But I fear I'm stuck without ideas at the moment.

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ip6tables blocking output traffic

- by jmccrohan

My OpenVZ VPS is blocking outbound IPv6 traffic, but correctly filtering inbound IPv6 traffic. Below is my ip6tables-restore script. *filter :INPUT ACCEPT [0:0] :FORWARD ACCEPT [0:0] :OUTPUT ACCEPT [0:0] -A INPUT -i lo -j ACCEPT -A INPUT -m state --state RELATED,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT -A INPUT -p ipv6-icmp -j ACCEPT -A INPUT -p tcp -m tcp --dport 22 -j ACCEPT -A INPUT -p tcp -m tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT -A INPUT -p udp -m udp --dport 1194 -j ACCEPT -A INPUT -p tcp -m tcp --dport 51413 -j ACCEPT -A INPUT -p udp -m udp --dport 51413 -j ACCEPT -A INPUT -m limit --limit 5/min -A INPUT -j REJECT --reject-with icmp6-adm-prohibited -A FORWARD -j ACCEPT -A OUTPUT -j ACCEPT COMMIT ICMPv6 traffic is still able to pass both inbound and outbound. When I flush these rules using -F, outbound traffic flows fine. What am I missing here? EDIT: It appears that ip6tables is marking ESTABLISHED packets as INVALID. Consequently, the outbound traffic is NOT actually being blocked. The reply packets are not allowed inbound again, hence appearing like blocked outbound traffic. Allowing INVALID packets inbound solves the outbound issue, but also renders the inbound filter useless.

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Looking for VCS wrapper that tracks system files changing across the whole *nix OS and sends diffs through email

- by nextus

I need some software that looks after custom directories across the whole OS (i.e. /etc) and alerting me if someone edit something file inside. Additionally, this tool must automatically commit and push changes into backup server, so I can easily determine when specific change in specific file was made. I'm using cvsbackup right now but I want to create or found something more modern. I think using git as VCS is a great idea. I could have local repository and easily revert changes in my configuration files. Furthermore, pushing changes to the remote repository would helps me to recover my configuration files when the server is fault. It doesn't seems difficult to write some wrapper around the git but there are a lot of problems. For example, I need to track custom directories: /usr/local/nginx/ and /etc/. So the destination point for my git repository is /. I don't need to track the other directories so I must to write overwhelming .gitignore rule: * !.gitignore !/etc/ !etc/* !/usr /usr/* !/usr/local /usr/local/* !/usr/local/nginx !/usr/local/nginx/* It's very daunting and prone to error. So it's maybe a good idea to create intermediate file that wrapper reads and converts to .gitignore format. Additionally, I don't want to keep my .git folder in / partition so I need to set appropriate GIT_DIR and GIT_WORK_TREE variables for git. Is there any ready to use tools for implementation this task? I don't found any but I don't believe that no one needs this feature.

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Core Data error when assigning variable with one-to-one relationship

- by Hoang Pham

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Deadlock in SQL Server 2005! Two real-time bulk upserts are fighting. WHY?

- by skimania

Here's the scenario: I've got a table called MarketDataCurrent (MDC) that has live updating stock prices. I've got one process called 'LiveFeed' which reads prices streaming from the wire, queues up inserts, and uses a 'bulk upload to temp table then insert/update to MDC table.' (BulkUpsert) I've got another process which then reads this data, computes other data, and then saves the results back into the same table, using a similar BulkUpsert stored proc. Thirdly, there are a multitude of users running a C# Gui polling the MDC table and reading updates from it. Now, during the day when the data is changing rapidly, things run pretty smoothly, but then, after market hours, we've recently started seeing an increasing number of Deadlock exceptions coming out of the database, nowadays we see 10-20 a day. The imporant thing to note here is that these happen when the values are NOT changing. Here's all the relevant info: Table Def: CREATE TABLE [dbo].[MarketDataCurrent]( [MDID] [int] NOT NULL, [LastUpdate] [datetime] NOT NULL, [Value] [float] NOT NULL, [Source] [varchar](20) NULL, CONSTRAINT [PK_MarketDataCurrent] PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED ( [MDID] ASC )WITH (PAD_INDEX = OFF, STATISTICS_NORECOMPUTE = OFF, IGNORE_DUP_KEY = OFF, ALLOW_ROW_LOCKS = ON, ALLOW_PAGE_LOCKS = ON) ON [PRIMARY] ) ON [PRIMARY] - I've got a Sql Profiler Trace Running, catching the deadlocks, and here's what all the graphs look like. Process 258 is called the following 'BulkUpsert' stored proc, repeatedly, while 73 is calling the next one: ALTER proc [dbo].[MarketDataCurrent_BulkUpload] @updateTime datetime, @source varchar(10) as begin transaction update c with (rowlock) set LastUpdate = getdate(), Value = t.Value, Source = @source from MarketDataCurrent c INNER JOIN #MDTUP t ON c.MDID = t.mdid where c.lastUpdate < @updateTime and c.mdid not in (select mdid from MarketData where LiveFeedTicker is not null and PriceSource like 'LiveFeed.%') and c.value <> t.value insert into MarketDataCurrent with (rowlock) select MDID, getdate(), Value, @source from #MDTUP where mdid not in (select mdid from MarketDataCurrent with (nolock)) and mdid not in (select mdid from MarketData where LiveFeedTicker is not null and PriceSource like 'LiveFeed.%') commit And the other one: ALTER PROCEDURE [dbo].[MarketDataCurrent_LiveFeedUpload] AS begin transaction -- Update existing mdid UPDATE c WITH (ROWLOCK) SET LastUpdate = t.LastUpdate, Value = t.Value, Source = t.Source FROM MarketDataCurrent c INNER JOIN #TEMPTABLE2 t ON c.MDID = t.mdid; -- Insert new MDID INSERT INTO MarketDataCurrent with (ROWLOCK) SELECT * FROM #TEMPTABLE2 WHERE MDID NOT IN (SELECT MDID FROM MarketDataCurrent with (NOLOCK)) -- Clean up the temp table DELETE #TEMPTABLE2 commit To clarify, those Temp Tables are being created by the C# code on the same connection and are populated using the C# SqlBulkCopy class. To me it looks like it's deadlocking on the PK of the table, so I tried removing that PK and switching to a Unique Constraint instead but that increased the number of deadlocks 10-fold. I'm totally lost as to what to do about this situation and am open to just about any suggestion. HELP!! In response to the request for the XDL, here it is: <deadlock-list> <deadlock victim="processc19978"> <process-list> <process id="processaf0b68" taskpriority="0" logused="0" waitresource="KEY: 6:72057594090487808 (d900ed5a6cc6)" waittime="718" ownerId="1102128174" transactionname="user_transaction" lasttranstarted="2010-06-11T16:30:44.750" XDES="0xffffffff817f9a40" lockMode="U" schedulerid="3" kpid="8228" status="suspended" spid="73" sbid="0" ecid="0" priority="0" transcount="2" lastbatchstarted="2010-06-11T16:30:44.750" lastbatchcompleted="2010-06-11T16:30:44.750" clientapp=".Net SqlClient Data Provider" hostname="RISKAPPS_VM" hostpid="3836" loginname="RiskOpt" isolationlevel="read committed (2)" xactid="1102128174" currentdb="6" lockTimeout="4294967295" clientoption1="671088672" clientoption2="128056"> <executionStack> <frame procname="MKP_RISKDB.dbo.MarketDataCurrent_BulkUpload" line="28" stmtstart="1062" stmtend="1720" sqlhandle="0x03000600a28e5e4ef4fd8e00849d00000100000000000000"> UPDATE c WITH (ROWLOCK) SET LastUpdate = getdate(), Value = t.Value, Source = @source FROM MarketDataCurrent c INNER JOIN #MDTUP t ON c.MDID = t.mdid WHERE c.lastUpdate < @updateTime and c.mdid not in (select mdid from MarketData where BloombergTicker is not null and PriceSource like 'Blbg.%') and c.value <> t.value </frame> <frame procname="adhoc" line="1" stmtstart="88" sqlhandle="0x01000600c1653d0598706ca7000000000000000000000000"> exec MarketDataCurrent_BulkUpload @clearBefore, @source </frame> <frame procname="unknown" line="1" sqlhandle="0x000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000"> unknown </frame> </executionStack> <inputbuf> (@clearBefore datetime,@source nvarchar(10))exec MarketDataCurrent_BulkUpload @clearBefore, @source </inputbuf> </process> <process id="processc19978" taskpriority="0" logused="0" waitresource="KEY: 6:72057594090487808 (74008e31572b)" waittime="718" ownerId="1102128228" transactionname="user_transaction" lasttranstarted="2010-06-11T16:30:44.780" XDES="0x380be9d8" lockMode="U" schedulerid="5" kpid="8464" status="suspended" spid="248" sbid="0" ecid="0" priority="0" transcount="2" lastbatchstarted="2010-06-11T16:30:44.780" lastbatchcompleted="2010-06-11T16:30:44.780" clientapp=".Net SqlClient Data Provider" hostname="RISKBBG_VM" hostpid="4480" loginname="RiskOpt" isolationlevel="read committed (2)" xactid="1102128228" currentdb="6" lockTimeout="4294967295" clientoption1="671088672" clientoption2="128056"> <executionStack> <frame procname="MKP_RISKDB.dbo.MarketDataCurrentBlbgRtUpload" line="14" stmtstart="840" stmtend="1220" sqlhandle="0x03000600005f9d24c8878f00849d00000100000000000000"> UPDATE c WITH (ROWLOCK) SET LastUpdate = t.LastUpdate, Value = t.Value, Source = t.Source FROM MarketDataCurrent c INNER JOIN #TEMPTABLE2 t ON c.MDID = t.mdid; -- Insert new MDID </frame> <frame procname="adhoc" line="1" sqlhandle="0x010006004a58132228bf8d73000000000000000000000000"> MarketDataCurrentBlbgRtUpload </frame> </executionStack> <inputbuf> MarketDataCurrentBlbgRtUpload </inputbuf> </process> </process-list> <resource-list> <keylock hobtid="72057594090487808" dbid="6" objectname="MKP_RISKDB.dbo.MarketDataCurrent" indexname="PK_MarketDataCurrent" id="lock5ba77b00" mode="U" associatedObjectId="72057594090487808"> <owner-list> <owner id="processc19978" mode="U"/> </owner-list> <waiter-list> <waiter id="processaf0b68" mode="U" requestType="wait"/> </waiter-list> </keylock> <keylock hobtid="72057594090487808" dbid="6" objectname="MKP_RISKDB.dbo.MarketDataCurrent" indexname="PK_MarketDataCurrent" id="lock65dca340" mode="U" associatedObjectId="72057594090487808"> <owner-list> <owner id="processaf0b68" mode="U"/> </owner-list> <waiter-list> <waiter id="processc19978" mode="U" requestType="wait"/> </waiter-list> </keylock> </resource-list> </deadlock> </deadlock-list>

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How to generate DELETE statements in PL/SQL, based on the tables FK relations?

- by The chicken in the kitchen

Is it possible via script/tool to generate authomatically many delete statements based on the tables fk relations, using Oracle PL/SQL? In example: I have the table: CHICKEN (CHICKEN_CODE NUMBER) and there are 30 tables with fk references to its CHICKEN_CODE that I need to delete; there are also other 150 tables foreign-key-linked to that 30 tables that I need to delete first. Is there some tool/script PL/SQL that I can run in order to generate all the necessary delete statements based on the FK relations for me? (by the way, I know about cascade delete on the relations, but please pay attention: I CAN'T USE IT IN MY PRODUCTION DATABASE, because it's dangerous!) I'm using Oracle DataBase 10G R2. This is the result I've written, but it is not recursive: This is a view I have previously written, but of course it is not recursive! CREATE OR REPLACE FORCE VIEW RUN ( OWNER_1, CONSTRAINT_NAME_1, TABLE_NAME_1, TABLE_NAME, VINCOLO ) AS SELECT OWNER_1, CONSTRAINT_NAME_1, TABLE_NAME_1, TABLE_NAME, '(' || LTRIM ( EXTRACT (XMLAGG (XMLELEMENT ("x", ',' || COLUMN_NAME)), '/x/text()'), ',') || ')' VINCOLO FROM ( SELECT CON1.OWNER OWNER_1, CON1.TABLE_NAME TABLE_NAME_1, CON1.CONSTRAINT_NAME CONSTRAINT_NAME_1, CON1.DELETE_RULE, CON1.STATUS, CON.TABLE_NAME, CON.CONSTRAINT_NAME, COL.POSITION, COL.COLUMN_NAME FROM DBA_CONSTRAINTS CON, DBA_CONS_COLUMNS COL, DBA_CONSTRAINTS CON1 WHERE CON.OWNER = 'TABLE_OWNER' AND CON.TABLE_NAME = 'TABLE_OWNED' AND ( (CON.CONSTRAINT_TYPE = 'P') OR (CON.CONSTRAINT_TYPE = 'U')) AND COL.TABLE_NAME = CON1.TABLE_NAME AND COL.CONSTRAINT_NAME = CON1.CONSTRAINT_NAME --AND CON1.OWNER = CON.OWNER AND CON1.R_CONSTRAINT_NAME = CON.CONSTRAINT_NAME AND CON1.CONSTRAINT_TYPE = 'R' GROUP BY CON1.OWNER, CON1.TABLE_NAME, CON1.CONSTRAINT_NAME, CON1.DELETE_RULE, CON1.STATUS, CON.TABLE_NAME, CON.CONSTRAINT_NAME, COL.POSITION, COL.COLUMN_NAME) GROUP BY OWNER_1, CONSTRAINT_NAME_1, TABLE_NAME_1, TABLE_NAME; ... and it contains the error of using DBA_CONSTRAINTS instead of ALL_CONSTRAINTS... Please pay attention to this: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/485581/generate-delete-statement-from-foreign-key-relationships-in-sql-2008/2677145#2677145 Another user has just written it in SQL SERVER 2008, anyone is able to convert to Oracle 10G PL/SQL? I am not able to... :-( This is the code written by another user in SQL SERVER 2008: DECLARE @COLUMN_NAME AS sysname DECLARE @TABLE_NAME AS sysname DECLARE @IDValue AS int SET @COLUMN_NAME = '<Your COLUMN_NAME here>' SET @TABLE_NAME = '<Your TABLE_NAME here>' SET @IDValue = 123456789 DECLARE @sql AS varchar(max) ; WITH RELATED_COLUMNS AS ( SELECT QUOTENAME(c.TABLE_SCHEMA) + '.' + QUOTENAME(c.TABLE_NAME) AS [OBJECT_NAME] ,c.COLUMN_NAME FROM PBANKDW.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS AS c WITH (NOLOCK) INNER JOIN PBANKDW.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES AS t WITH (NOLOCK) ON c.TABLE_CATALOG = t.TABLE_CATALOG AND c.TABLE_SCHEMA = t.TABLE_SCHEMA AND c.TABLE_NAME = t.TABLE_NAME AND t.TABLE_TYPE = 'BASE TABLE' INNER JOIN ( SELECT rc.CONSTRAINT_CATALOG ,rc.CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA ,lkc.TABLE_NAME ,lkc.COLUMN_NAME FROM PBANKDW.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.REFERENTIAL_CONSTRAINTS rc WITH (NOLOCK) INNER JOIN PBANKDW.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEY_COLUMN_USAGE lkc WITH (NOLOCK) ON lkc.CONSTRAINT_CATALOG = rc.CONSTRAINT_CATALOG AND lkc.CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA = rc.CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA AND lkc.CONSTRAINT_NAME = rc.CONSTRAINT_NAME INNER JOIN PBANKDW.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLE_CONSTRAINTS tc WITH (NOLOCK) ON rc.CONSTRAINT_CATALOG = tc.CONSTRAINT_CATALOG AND rc.CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA = tc.CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA AND rc.UNIQUE_CONSTRAINT_NAME = tc.CONSTRAINT_NAME INNER JOIN PBANKDW.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEY_COLUMN_USAGE rkc WITH (NOLOCK) ON rkc.CONSTRAINT_CATALOG = tc.CONSTRAINT_CATALOG AND rkc.CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA = tc.CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA AND rkc.CONSTRAINT_NAME = tc.CONSTRAINT_NAME WHERE rkc.COLUMN_NAME = @COLUMN_NAME AND rkc.TABLE_NAME = @TABLE_NAME ) AS j ON j.CONSTRAINT_CATALOG = c.TABLE_CATALOG AND j.CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA = c.TABLE_SCHEMA AND j.TABLE_NAME = c.TABLE_NAME AND j.COLUMN_NAME = c.COLUMN_NAME ) SELECT @sql = COALESCE(@sql, '') + 'DELETE FROM ' + [OBJECT_NAME] + ' WHERE ' + [COLUMN_NAME] + ' = ' + CONVERT(varchar, @IDValue) + CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) FROM RELATED_COLUMNS PRINT @sql Thank to Charles, this is the latest not working release of the software, I have added a parameter with the OWNER because the referential integrities propagate through about 5 other Oracle users (!!!): CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE delete_cascade ( parent_table VARCHAR2, parent_table_owner VARCHAR2) IS cons_name VARCHAR2 (30); tab_name VARCHAR2 (30); tab_name_owner VARCHAR2 (30); parent_cons VARCHAR2 (30); parent_col VARCHAR2 (30); delete1 VARCHAR (500); delete2 VARCHAR (500); delete_command VARCHAR (4000); CURSOR cons_cursor IS SELECT constraint_name, r_constraint_name, table_name, constraint_type FROM all_constraints WHERE constraint_type = 'R' AND r_constraint_name IN (SELECT constraint_name FROM all_constraints WHERE constraint_type IN ('P', 'U') AND table_name = parent_table AND owner = parent_table_owner) AND delete_rule = 'NO ACTION'; CURSOR tabs_cursor IS SELECT DISTINCT table_name FROM all_cons_columns WHERE constraint_name = cons_name; CURSOR child_cols_cursor IS SELECT column_name, position FROM all_cons_columns WHERE constraint_name = cons_name AND table_name = tab_name; BEGIN FOR cons IN cons_cursor LOOP cons_name := cons.constraint_name; parent_cons := cons.r_constraint_name; SELECT DISTINCT table_name, owner INTO tab_name, tab_name_owner FROM all_cons_columns WHERE constraint_name = cons_name; delete_cascade (tab_name, tab_name_owner); delete_command := ''; delete1 := ''; delete2 := ''; FOR col IN child_cols_cursor LOOP SELECT DISTINCT column_name INTO parent_col FROM all_cons_columns WHERE constraint_name = parent_cons AND position = col.position; IF delete1 IS NULL THEN delete1 := col.column_name; ELSE delete1 := delete1 || ', ' || col.column_name; END IF; IF delete2 IS NULL THEN delete2 := parent_col; ELSE delete2 := delete2 || ', ' || parent_col; END IF; END LOOP; delete_command := 'delete from ' || tab_name_owner || '.' || tab_name || ' where (' || delete1 || ') in (select ' || delete2 || ' from ' || parent_table_owner || '.' || parent_table || ');'; INSERT INTO ris VALUES (SEQUENCE_COMANDI.NEXTVAL, delete_command); COMMIT; END LOOP; END; / In the cursor CONS_CURSOR I have added the condition: AND delete_rule = 'NO ACTION'; in order to avoid deletion in case of referential integrities with DELETE_RULE = 'CASCADE' or DELETE_RULE = 'SET NULL'. Now I have tried to turn from stored procedure to stored function, but the delete statements are not correct: CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION deletecascade ( parent_table VARCHAR2, parent_table_owner VARCHAR2) RETURN VARCHAR2 IS cons_name VARCHAR2 (30); tab_name VARCHAR2 (30); tab_name_owner VARCHAR2 (30); parent_cons VARCHAR2 (30); parent_col VARCHAR2 (30); delete1 VARCHAR (500); delete2 VARCHAR (500); delete_command VARCHAR (4000); AT_LEAST_ONE_ITERATION NUMBER DEFAULT 0; CURSOR cons_cursor IS SELECT constraint_name, r_constraint_name, table_name, constraint_type FROM all_constraints WHERE constraint_type = 'R' AND r_constraint_name IN (SELECT constraint_name FROM all_constraints WHERE constraint_type IN ('P', 'U') AND table_name = parent_table AND owner = parent_table_owner) AND delete_rule = 'NO ACTION'; CURSOR tabs_cursor IS SELECT DISTINCT table_name FROM all_cons_columns WHERE constraint_name = cons_name; CURSOR child_cols_cursor IS SELECT column_name, position FROM all_cons_columns WHERE constraint_name = cons_name AND table_name = tab_name; BEGIN FOR cons IN cons_cursor LOOP AT_LEAST_ONE_ITERATION := 1; cons_name := cons.constraint_name; parent_cons := cons.r_constraint_name; SELECT DISTINCT table_name, owner INTO tab_name, tab_name_owner FROM all_cons_columns WHERE constraint_name = cons_name; delete1 := ''; delete2 := ''; FOR col IN child_cols_cursor LOOP SELECT DISTINCT column_name INTO parent_col FROM all_cons_columns WHERE constraint_name = parent_cons AND position = col.position; IF delete1 IS NULL THEN delete1 := col.column_name; ELSE delete1 := delete1 || ', ' || col.column_name; END IF; IF delete2 IS NULL THEN delete2 := parent_col; ELSE delete2 := delete2 || ', ' || parent_col; END IF; END LOOP; delete_command := 'delete from ' || tab_name_owner || '.' || tab_name || ' where (' || delete1 || ') in (select ' || delete2 || ' from ' || parent_table_owner || '.' || parent_table || ');' || deletecascade (tab_name, tab_name_owner); INSERT INTO ris VALUES (SEQUENCE_COMANDI.NEXTVAL, delete_command); COMMIT; END LOOP; IF AT_LEAST_ONE_ITERATION = 1 THEN RETURN ' where COD_CHICKEN = V_CHICKEN AND COD_NATION = V_NATION;'; ELSE RETURN NULL; END IF; END; / Please assume that V_CHICKEN and V_NATION are the criteria to select the CHICKEN to delete from the root table: the condition is: "where COD_CHICKEN = V_CHICKEN AND COD_NATION = V_NATION" on the root table.

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Developer’s Life – Every Developer is a Batman

- by Pinal Dave

Batman is one of the darkest superheroes in the fantasy canon. He does not come to his powers through any sort of magical coincidence or radioactive insect, but through a lot of psychological scarring caused by witnessing the death of his parents. Despite his dark back story, he possesses a lot of admirable abilities that I feel bear comparison to developers. Batman has the distinct advantage that his alter ego, Bruce Wayne is a millionaire (or billionaire in today’s reboots). This means that he can spend his time working on his athletic abilities, building a secret lair, and investing his money in cool tools. This might not be true for developers (well, most developers), but I still think there are many parallels. So how are developers like Batman? Well, read on my list of reasons. Develop Skills Batman works on his skills. He didn’t get the strength to scale Gotham’s skyscrapers by inheriting his powers or suffering an industrial accident. Developers also hone their skills daily. They might not be doing pull-ups and scaling buldings, but I think their skills are just as impressive. Clear Goals Batman is driven to build a better Gotham. He knows that the criminal who killed his parents was a small-time thief, not a super villain – so he has larger goals in mind than simply chasing one villain. He wants his city as a whole to be better. Developers are also driven to make things better. It can be easy to get hung up on one problem, but in the end it is best to focus on the well-being of the system as a whole. Ultimate Teamplayers Batman is the hero Gotham needs – even when that means appearing to be the bad guys. Developers probably know that feeling well. Batman takes the fall for a crime he didn’t commit, and developers often have to deliver bad news about the limitations of their networks and servers. It’s not always a job filled with glory and thanks, but someone has to do it. Always Ready Batman and the Boy Scouts have this in common – they are always prepared. Let’s add developers to this list. Batman has an amazing tool belt with gadgets and gizmos, and let’s not even get into all the functions of the Batmobile! Developers’ skills might be the knowledge and skills they have developed, not tools they can carry in a utility belt, but that doesn’t make them any less impressive. 100% Dedication Bruce Wayne cultivates the personality of a playboy, never keeping the same girlfriend for long and spending his time partying. Even though he hides it, his driving force is his deep concern and love for his friends and the city as a whole. Developers also care a lot about their company and employees – even when it is driving them crazy. You do your best work when you care about your job on a personal level. Quality Output Batman believes the city deserves to be saved. The citizens might have a love-hate relationship with both Batman and Bruce Wayne, and employees might not always appreciate developers. Batman and developers, though, keep working for the best of everyone. I hope you are all enjoying reading about developers-as-superheroes as much as I am enjoying writing about them. Please tell me how else developers are like Superheroes in the comments – especially if you know any developers who are faster than a speeding bullet and can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Reference: Pinal Dave (http://blog.sqlauthority.com)Filed under: PostADay, SQL, SQL Authority, SQL Query, SQL Server, SQL Tips and Tricks, T SQL Tagged: Developer, Superhero

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Oracle HRMS API – Create or Update Employee Phone

- by PRajkumar

API -- hr_phone_api.create_or_update_phone Example -- DECLARE ln_phone_id PER_PHONES.PHONE_ID%TYPE; ln_object_version_number PER_PHONES.OBJECT_VERSION_NUMBER%TYPE; BEGIN -- Create or Update Employee Phone Detail -- ----------------------------------------------------------- hr_phone_api.create_or_update_phone ( -- Input data elements -- ----------------------------- p_date_from => TO_DATE('13-JUN-2011'), p_phone_type => 'W1', p_phone_number => '9999999', p_parent_id => 32979, p_parent_table => 'PER_ALL_PEOPLE_F', p_effective_date => TO_DATE('13-JUN-2011'), -- Output data elements -- -------------------------------- p_phone_id => ln_phone_id, p_object_version_number => ln_object_version_number ); COMMIT; EXCEPTION WHEN OTHERS THEN ROLLBACK; dbms_output.put_line(SQLERRM); END; / SHOW ERR;

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Oracle HRMS API – Delete Employee Element Entry

- by PRajkumar

API -- pay_element_entry_api.delete_element_entry Example -- Consider Employee has Element Entry "Bonus". Lets try to Delete Element Entry "Bonus" using delete API DECLARE ld_effective_start_date DATE; ld_effective_end_date DATE; lb_delete_warning BOOLEAN; ln_object_version_number PAY_ELEMENT_ENTRIES_F.OBJECT_VERSION_NUMBER%TYPE := 1; BEGIN -- Delete Element Entry -- ------------------------------- pay_element_entry_api.delete_element_entry ( -- Input data elements -- ------------------------------ p_datetrack_delete_mode => 'DELETE', p_effective_date => TO_DATE('23-JUNE-2011'), p_element_entry_id => 118557, -- Output data elements -- -------------------------------- p_object_version_number => ln_object_version_number, p_effective_start_date => ld_effective_start_date, p_effective_end_date => ld_effective_end_date, p_delete_warning => lb_delete_warning ); COMMIT; EXCEPTION WHEN OTHERS THEN ROLLBACK; dbms_output.put_line(SQLERRM); END; / SHOW ERR;

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Framework 4 Features: Support for Timed Jobs

- by Anthony Shorten

One of the new features of the Oracle Utilities Application Framework V4 is the ability for the batch framework to support Timed Batch. Traditionally batch is associated with set processing in the background in a fixed time frame. For example, billing customers. Over the last few versions their has been functionality required by the products required a more monitoring style batch process. The monitor is a batch process that looks for specific business events based upon record status or other pieces of data. For example, the framework contains a fact monitor (F1-FCTRN) that can be configured to look for specific status's or other conditions. The batch process then uses the instructions on the object to determine what to do. To support monitor style processing, you need to run the process regularly a number of times a day (for example, every ten minutes). Traditional batch could support this but it was not as optimal as expected (if you are a site using the old Workflow subsystem, you understand what I mean). The Batch framework was extended to add additional facilities to support times (and continuous batch which is another new feature for another blog entry). The new facilities include: The batch control now defines the job as Timed or Not Timed. Non-Timed batch are traditional batch jobs. The timer interval (the interval between executions) can be specified The timer can be made active or inactive. Only active timers are executed. Setting the Timer Active to inactive will stop the job at the next time interval. Setting the Timer Active to Active will start the execution of the timed job. You can specify the credentials, language to view the messages and an email address to send the a summary of the execution to. The email address is optional and requires an email server to be specified in the relevant feature configuration. You can specify the thread limits and commit intervals to be sued for the multiple executions. Once a timer job is defined it will be executed automatically by the Business Application Server process if the DEFAULT threadpool is active. This threadpool can be started using the online batch daemon (for non-production) or externally using the threadpoolworker utility. At that time any batch process with the Timer Active set to Active and Batch Control Type of Timed will begin executing. As Timed jobs are executed automatically then they do not appear in any external schedule or are managed by an external scheduler (except via the DEFAULT threadpool itself of course). Now, if the job has no work to do as the timer interval is being reached then that instance of the job is stopped and the next instance started at the timer interval. If there is still work to complete when the interval interval is reached, the instance will continue processing till the work is complete, then the instance will be stopped and the next instance scheduled for the next timer interval. One of the key ways of optimizing this processing is to set the timer interval correctly for the expected workload. This is an interesting new feature of the batch framework and we anticipate it will come in handy for specific business situations with the monitor processes.

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Uncovering Compiler Errors in ASP.NET MVC Views

- by Ben Griswold

ASPX and ASCX files are compiled on the fly when they are requested on the web server. This means it’s possible that you aren’t catching compile errors associated with your views when you build your ASP.NET MVC project in Visual Studio. Unless you’re willing to click through your entire application, rendering each view looking for errors, you application is left a little vulnerable to user issues. Fortunately, there’s a work around. Open up your MVC project file in notepad or within the Visual Studio IDE by unloading the project and then editing the .csproj file (both actions are available by right-clicking on the Project Node in Solution Explorer.) Notice the MvcBuildViews option. It’s probably set to false. Flip the value to true and you’ll magically start compiling your views when you build your application. <MvcBuildViews>false</MvcBuildViews> Taking this action will slow down your builds a bit, but if you’re a hack like me, it’ll probably save your day in the long run. Now you’re probably thinking, “Neat trick – how’s it work?” Scroll down toward the bottom of your csproj file and you will notice the AfterBuild target triggers the AspNetCompiler action if the MvcBuildViews option is set to true. <Target Name="AfterBuild" Condition="'$(MvcBuildViews)'=='true'"> <AspNetCompiler VirtualPath="temp" PhysicalPath="$(ProjectDir)\..\$(ProjectName)" /> </Target> Great. One more thing. Let’s say you don’t want to slow down all of your builds, but you absolutely want to know if there are any compiler issues with your views before you commit your code to version control or deploy or whatever. Here’s what you can do – change the AfterBuild condition to run if your configuration is set to Release mode. <Target Name="AfterBuild" Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'"> <!– Always pre-compile ASPX and ASCX in release mode –> <AspNetCompiler VirtualPath="temp" PhysicalPath="$(ProjectDir)\..\$(ProjectName)" /> </Target> Now your debug mode builds will continue to be as fast as ever and you can quickly validate your views by building in release mode when you so choose. There’s one little catch – this setup won’t consider the MvcBuildViews option whatsoever! So if you decide to go with this configuration, you might want to add a comment near the MvcBuildViews option letting other developers know they can change the MvcBuildViews option as much as they’d like but it’s not going to affect the AfterBuild action. Or don’t include the comment and let your team members figure it out for themselves…

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SQL SERVER – SQL Server Misconceptions and Resolution – A Practical Perspective – TechEd 2012 India

- by pinaldave

TechEd India 2012 is just around the corner and I will be presenting there in two different sessions. On the very first day of this event, my presentation will be all about SQL Server Misconceptions and Resolution – A Practical Perspective. The dictionary tells us that a “misconception” means a view or opinion that is incorrect and is based on faulty thinking or understanding. In SQL Server, there are so many misconceptions. In fact, when I hear some of these misconceptions, I feel like fainting at that very moment! Seriously, at one time, I came across the scenario where instead of using INSERT INTO…SELECT, the developer used CURSOR believing that cursor is faster (duh!). Here is the link the blog post related to this. Pinal and Vinod in 2009 I have been presenting in TechEd India for last three years. This is my fourth opportunity to present a technical session on SQL Server. Just like the previous years, I decided to present something different. Here is a novelty of this year: I will be presenting this session with Vinod Kumar. Vinod Kumar and I have a great synergy when we work together. So far, we have written one SQL Server Interview Questions and Answers book and 2 video courses: (1) SQL Server Questions and Answers (2) SQL Server Performance: Indexing Basics. Pinal and Vinod in 2011 When we sat together and started building an outline for this course, we had many options in mind for this tango session. However, we have decided that we will make this session as lively as possible while keeping it natural at the same time. We know our flow and we know our conversation highlight, but we do not know what exactly each of us is going to present. We have decided to challenge each other on stage and push each other’s knowledge to the verge. We promise that the session will be entertaining with lots of SQL Server trivia, tips and tricks. Here are the challenges that I’ll take on: I will puzzle Vinod with my difficult questions I will present such misconception that Vinod will have no resolution for it. I need your help. Will you help me stump Vinod? If yes, come and attend our session and join me to prove that together we are superior (a friendly brain clash, but we must win!). SQL Server enthusiasts and SQL Server fans are going to have gala time at #TechEdIn as we have a very solid lineup of the speaker and extremely interesting sessions at TechEdIn. Read the complete blog post of Vinod. Session Details Title: SQL Server Misconceptions and Resolution – A Practical Perspective (Add to Calendar) Abstract: “Earth is flat”! – An ancient common misconception, which has been proven incorrect as we progressed in modern times. In this session we will see various database misconceptions prevailing and their resolution with the aid of the demos. In this unique session audience will be part of the conversation and resolution. Date and Time: March 21, 2012, 15:15 to 16:15 Location: Hotel Lalit Ashok - Kumara Krupa High Grounds, Bengaluru – 560001, Karnataka, India. Add to Calendar Please submit your questions in the comments area and I will be for sure discussing them during my session. If I pick your question to discuss during my session, here is your gift I commit right now – SQL Server Interview Questions and Answers Book. Reference: Pinal Dave (http://blog.sqlauthority.com) Filed under: PostADay, SQL, SQL Authority, SQL Interview Questions and Answers, SQL Performance, SQL Query, SQL Server, SQL Tips and Tricks, T SQL, Technology Tagged: TechEd, TechEdIn

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A Letter for Your CEO About Social Marketing’s Future

- by Mike Stiles

We’ll leave it to you to decide if or how to sneak this in front of them. Dear Chief: This social marketing thing looks serious. It’s gone beyond having a Facebook page and putting our info and a few promotions on it. It’s seriously disrupting how we’ve always done marketing. And its implications reach well beyond marketing. My concern is that we stay positioned ahead of these changes and are prepared to embrace, adapt and capitalize on these new capabilities as opposed to spending valuable time and money trying to shoehorn social into “the way we’ve always done things.” I’m also concerned about what happens if our competition executes on this before we do. The days of being able to impose our ad messaging on the masses to great effect are numbered. The public now has the tech tools and ability to filter out things that are irrelevant to them. And frankly, spending ad dollars to reach unlikely prospects isn’t the most efficient path for us either. Today, our customers have to genuinely love what we do. That starts with a renewed, customer-centric focus on the quality and usability of our product. If their experience with it is bad, they now have very connected, loud voices that will testify against us. We can’t afford that. Next, their customer service experience, before and after the sale, has to be a pleasant surprise. That requires truly knowing our customers and listening to them. Lip service won’t cut it. We have to get and use as much data on the customer as possible, interact with them wherever they want to interact with us, and commit to impressing them. If we do, they’ll get out there and advertise for us. Since peer-to-peer recommendation is the most effective marketing, that’s money in the bank. Social marketing is about forming relationships, same as how individuals use social. We want them to know us, trust us, and get real value from knowing us. That requires honesty and transparency that before now might have been uncomfortable. I propose that if we clearly make everything we do about our customers’ wants and needs, we’ll have nothing to hide. It will solidify customer loyalty, retention, and thus, revenue. These things can’t happen without certain tools and structural changes in the organization. There are social cloud platforms that integrate social management into all of the necessary areas: CRM, customer service, sales, marketing automation, content marketing, ecommerce, etc. This is will give us a real-time, complete view of the customer so their every interaction with us is attentive, personalized, accurate, relevant, and satisfying. Without it, we’re just a collage of disjointed systems, each gathering data that informs only its own departmental silo. The customer is voluntarily giving us everything we need to know about them to win them over, but we have to start listening and putting the pieces together. There’s still time. Brands are coming to terms with this transition to the socially enabled enterprise, but so far they aren’t moving very fast. Like us, they’re dealing with long-entrenched technologies and processes. CMO’s and CIO’s have to form new partnerships. Content operations have to be initiated and properly staffed and funded. Various departments must be able to utilize interconnected big data. What will separate the winners from the losers? Well chief, that’s why I’m writing you. It’s in your hands. These initiatives won’t get the kind of priority and seriousness that inspire actual deadlines & action unless they come from your desk. You have to be the champion of customer centricity. You have to be our change agent. You have to be our innovator. Otherwise, it’s going to be business as usual, and that puts us in a very vulnerable place. Sincerely, Your Team @mikestilesPhoto: Gary Scott, stock.xchng

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The Evolution Of C#

- by Paulo Morgado

The first release of C# (C# 1.0) was all about building a new language for managed code that appealed, mostly, to C++ and Java programmers. The second release (C# 2.0) was mostly about adding what wasn’t time to built into the 1.0 release. The main feature for this release was Generics. The third release (C# 3.0) was all about reducing the impedance mismatch between general purpose programming languages and databases. To achieve this goal, several functional programming features were added to the language and LINQ was born. Going forward, new trends are showing up in the industry and modern programming languages need to be more: Declarative With imperative languages, although having the eye on the what, programs need to focus on the how. This leads to over specification of the solution to the problem in hand, making next to impossible to the execution engine to be smart about the execution of the program and optimize it to run it more efficiently (given the hardware available, for example). Declarative languages, on the other hand, focus only on the what and leave the how to the execution engine. LINQ made C# more declarative by using higher level constructs like orderby and group by that give the execution engine a much better chance of optimizing the execution (by parallelizing it, for example). Concurrent Concurrency is hard and needs to be thought about and it’s very hard to shoehorn it into a programming language. Parallel.For (from the parallel extensions) looks like a parallel for because enough expressiveness has been built into C# 3.0 to allow this without having to commit to specific language syntax. Dynamic There was been lots of debate on which ones are the better programming languages: static or dynamic. The fact is that both have good qualities and users of both types of languages want to have it all. All these trends require a paradigm switch. C# is, in many ways, already a multi-paradigm language. It’s still very object oriented (class oriented as some might say) but it can be argued that C# 3.0 has become a functional programming language because it has all the cornerstones of what a functional programming language needs. Moving forward, will have even more. Besides the influence of these trends, there was a decision of co-evolution of the C# and Visual Basic programming languages. Since its inception, there was been some effort to position C# and Visual Basic against each other and to try to explain what should be done with each language or what kind of programmers use one or the other. Each language should be chosen based on the past experience and familiarity of the developer/team/project/company and not by particular features. In the past, every time a feature was added to one language, the users of the other wanted that feature too. Going forward, when a feature is added to one language, the other will work hard to add the same feature. This doesn’t mean that XML literals will be added to C# (because almost the same can be achieved with LINQ To XML), but Visual Basic will have auto-implemented properties. Most of these features require or are built on top of features of the .NET Framework and, the focus for C# 4.0 was on dynamic programming. Not just dynamic types but being able to talk with anything that isn’t a .NET class. Also introduced in C# 4.0 is co-variance and contra-variance for generic interfaces and delegates. Stay tuned for more on the new C# 4.0 features.

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Banshee encountered a Fatal Error (sqlite error 11: database disk image is malformed)

- by Nik

I am running ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat, and recently I am helping in testing out indicator-weather using the unstable buids. However there was a bug which caused my system to freeze suddenly (due to indicator-weather not ubuntu) and the only way to recover is to do a hard reset of the system. This happened a couple of times. And when i tried to open banshee after a couple of such resets I get the following fatal error which forces me to quit banshee. The screenshot is not clear enough to read the error, so I am posting it below, An unhandled exception was thrown: Sqlite error 11: database disk image is malformed (SQL: BEGIN TRANSACTION; DELETE FROM CoreSmartPlaylistEntries WHERE SmartPlaylistID IN (SELECT SmartPlaylistID FROM CoreSmartPlaylists WHERE IsTemporary = 1); DELETE FROM CoreSmartPlaylists WHERE IsTemporary = 1; COMMIT TRANSACTION) at Hyena.Data.Sqlite.Connection.CheckError (Int32 errorCode, System.String sql) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 at Hyena.Data.Sqlite.Connection.Execute (System.String sql) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 at Hyena.Data.Sqlite.HyenaSqliteCommand.Execute (Hyena.Data.Sqlite.HyenaSqliteConnection hconnection, Hyena.Data.Sqlite.Connection connection) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. at System.Reflection.MonoCMethod.Invoke (System.Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, System.Reflection.Binder binder, System.Object[] parameters, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 at System.Reflection.MonoCMethod.Invoke (BindingFlags invokeAttr, System.Reflection.Binder binder, System.Object[] parameters, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 at System.Reflection.ConstructorInfo.Invoke (System.Object[] parameters) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 at System.Activator.CreateInstance (System.Type type, Boolean nonPublic) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 at System.Activator.CreateInstance (System.Type type) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 at Banshee.Gui.GtkBaseClient.Startup () [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 at Hyena.Gui.CleanRoomStartup.Startup (Hyena.Gui.StartupInvocationHandler startup) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 .NET Version: 2.0.50727.1433 OS Version: Unix 2.6.35.27 Assembly Version Information: gkeyfile-sharp (1.0.0.0) Banshee.AudioCd (1.9.0.0) Banshee.MiniMode (1.9.0.0) Banshee.CoverArt (1.9.0.0) indicate-sharp (0.4.1.0) notify-sharp (0.4.0.0) Banshee.SoundMenu (1.9.0.0) Banshee.Mpris (1.9.0.0) Migo (1.9.0.0) Banshee.Podcasting (1.9.0.0) Banshee.Dap (1.9.0.0) Banshee.LibraryWatcher (1.9.0.0) Banshee.MultimediaKeys (1.9.0.0) Banshee.Bpm (1.9.0.0) Banshee.YouTube (1.9.0.0) Banshee.WebBrowser (1.9.0.0) Banshee.Wikipedia (1.9.0.0) pango-sharp (2.12.0.0) Banshee.Fixup (1.9.0.0) Banshee.Widgets (1.9.0.0) gio-sharp (2.14.0.0) gudev-sharp (1.0.0.0) Banshee.Gio (1.9.0.0) Banshee.GStreamer (1.9.0.0) System.Configuration (2.0.0.0) NDesk.DBus.GLib (1.0.0.0) gconf-sharp (2.24.0.0) Banshee.Gnome (1.9.0.0) Banshee.NowPlaying (1.9.0.0) Mono.Cairo (2.0.0.0) System.Xml (2.0.0.0) Banshee.Core (1.9.0.0) Hyena.Data.Sqlite (1.9.0.0) System.Core (3.5.0.0) gdk-sharp (2.12.0.0) Mono.Addins (0.4.0.0) atk-sharp (2.12.0.0) Hyena.Gui (1.9.0.0) gtk-sharp (2.12.0.0) Banshee.ThickClient (1.9.0.0) Nereid (1.9.0.0) NDesk.DBus.Proxies (0.0.0.0) Mono.Posix (2.0.0.0) NDesk.DBus (1.0.0.0) glib-sharp (2.12.0.0) Hyena (1.9.0.0) System (2.0.0.0) Banshee.Services (1.9.0.0) Banshee (1.9.0.0) mscorlib (2.0.0.0) Platform Information: Linux 2.6.35-27-generic i686 unknown GNU/Linux Disribution Information: [/etc/lsb-release] DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu DISTRIB_RELEASE=10.10 DISTRIB_CODENAME=maverick DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 10.10" [/etc/debian_version] squeeze/sid Just to make it clear, this happened only after the hard resets and not before. I used to use banshee everyday and it worked perfectly. Can anyone help me fix this?

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SQL SERVER – Speed Up! – Parallel Processes and Unparalleled Performance – TechEd 2012 India

- by pinaldave

TechEd India 2012 is just around the corner and I will be presenting there on two different session. SQL Server Performance Tuning is a very challenging subject that requires expertise in Database Administration and Database Development. I always have enjoyed talking about SQL Server Performance tuning subject. Just like doctors I like to call my every attempt to improve the performance of SQL Server queries and database server as a practice too. I have been working with SQL Server for more than 8 years and I believe that many of the performance tuning concept I have mastered. However, performance tuning is not a simple subject. However there are occasions when I feel stumped, there are occasional when I am not sure what should be the next step. When I face situation where I cannot figure things out easily, it makes me most happy because I clearly see this as a learning opportunity. I have been presenting in TechEd India for last three years. This is my fourth time opportunity to present a technical session on SQL Server. Just like every other year, I decided to present something different, something which I have spend years of learning. This time, I am going to present about parallel processes. It is widely believed that more the CPU will improve performance of the server. It is true in many cases. However, there are cases when limiting the CPU usages have improved overall health of the server. I will be presenting on the subject of Parallel Processes and its effects. I have spent more than a year working on this subject only. After working on various queries on multi-CPU systems I have personally learned few things. In coming TechEd session, I am going to share my experience with parallel processes and performance tuning. Session Details Title: Speed Up! – Parallel Processes and Unparalleled Performance (Add to Calendar) Abstract: “More CPU More Performance” – A very common understanding is that usage of multiple CPUs can improve the performance of the query. To get maximum performance out of any query – one has to master various aspects of the parallel processes. In this deep dive session, we will explore this complex subject with a very simple interactive demo. An attendee will walk away with proper understanding of CX_PACKET wait types, MAXDOP, parallelism threshold and various other concepts. Date and Time: March 23, 2012, 12:15 to 13:15 Location: Hotel Lalit Ashok - Kumara Krupa High Grounds, Bengaluru – 560001, Karnataka, India. Add to Calendar Please submit your questions in the comments area and I will be for sure discussing them during my session. If I pick your question to discuss during my session, here is your gift I commit right now – SQL Server Interview Questions and Answers Book. Reference: Pinal Dave (http://blog.sqlauthority.com) Filed under: PostADay, SQL, SQL Authority, SQL Performance, SQL Query, SQL Server, SQL Tips and Tricks, SQL Wait Stats, SQL Wait Types, T SQL, Technology Tagged: TechEd, TechEdIn

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Have you ever wondered...?

- by diana.gray

I've often wondered why folks do the same thing over and over. For some of us, it's because we "don't get it" and there's an abundance of TV talk shows that will help us analyze the why of it. Dr. Phil is all too eager to ask "...and how's that working for you?". But I'm not referring to being stuck in a destructive pattern or denial. I'm really talking about doing something over and over because you have found a joy, a comfort, a boost of energy from an activity or event. For example, how many times have I planted bulbs in November or December only to be amazed by their reach, colors, and fragrance in early spring? Or baked fresh cookies and allowed the aroma to fill the house? Or kissed a sleeping baby held gently in my arms and being reminded of how tiny and fragile we all are. I've often wondered why it is that I get so much out of something I've done so many times. I think it's because I've changed. The activity may be the same but in the preceding days, months and years I've had new experiences, challenges, joys and sorrows that have shaped me. I'm different. The same is true about attending the Professional Businesswomen of California (PBWC) conference. Although the conference is an annual event held at San Francisco's Moscone Center, I still enjoy being with 3,000 other women like me. Yes, we work at different companies and in different industries, have different lifestyles and are at different stages in our professional careers and personal lives; but we are all alike in that we bring the NEW me each year that we attend. This year I can cheer when Safra Catz, President of Oracle, encourages us to trust our intuition; that "if something doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense". And I can warmly introduce myself to Lisa Askins, Cheryl Melching's business partner at Center Stage Group, when I would have been too intimated to do so last year. This year I can commit to new challenges such as "no whining, no excuses and no gossip" as suggested by Roxanne Emmerich, a goal that I would have wavered on last year. I can also embrace the suggestion given by Dr. Ian Smith to "spend one hour each day" on me - giving myself time to rejuvenate. A friend, when asked if she was attending PBWC this year, said "I've attended the conference several times and there's nothing new!" My perspective is that WE are what makes PBWC's annual conference new. We are far different in 2010 than we were in 2009. We are learning, growing, developing and shedding and that's what makes the conference fresh, vibrant, rewarding, and lasting. It is the diversity of women coming together that makes it new. By sharing our experiences, we discover. By meeting with one another professionally and personally, we connect. And by applying the wisdom learned, we shine. We are reNEW-ed. It shows in our fresh ideas, confident interactions, strategic decisions and successful businesses. This refreshed approach is what our companies want and need, our families depend on, our communities and nation look to for creative solutions to pressing concerns. Thanks Oracle for your continued support and thanks PBWC for providing an annual day to be reNEW-ed.

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Too Clever for My Own Good

- by AjarnMark

Yesterday I caught myself being a little too clever for my own good with some ASP.NET code. It seems that I have forgotten some of my good old classic HTML and JavaScript skills, and become too dependent on the .NET Framework and WebControls to do the work for me. Here’s the scenario… In order to improve the User Interface and better communicate to the user when something is happening that they need to wait for, we have started to modify some of our larger (slower) pages to display messages like Processing… or Reloading… while they are cycling through a postback. (Yes, I understand this could be improved by using AJAX / Callbacks and so on, but even then, you need to let your user know that they need to wait for that section to be re-rendered, so for the moment these pages will continue to use good ol’ Postbacks.) It’s a very simple trick, really. All I want to do is when some control triggers a postback, first run a little client-side JavaScript to hide the main contents of the page (such as a GridView) and display the appropriate message. This lets the user know, “Hey, we’re doing something, don’t click another link or scroll and try to take action right now.” The first places I hooked this up were easy. Most common cause of a postback: Buttons. And when you’re writing the markup or declarative code for an ASP:Button control, there is the handy OnClientClick property which is designed for just this purpose…to run client-side JavaScript before the postback occurs. This is distinguished from the OnClick property which tells the control what Server-side code to run. Great! Done! Easy! But then there are other controls like DropDownLists and CheckBoxes that we use on our pages with the AutoPostback=True setting which cause postbacks. And these don’t have OnClientClick or OnClientSelectedIndexChanged events. So I started getting creative, using an ASP:CustomValidator control in conjunction with setting the CausesValidation and ValidationGroup settings on these controls, which basically caused the action on the control to fire the Custom Validator, which was defined with a Client Side validation function which then did the hide content/show message code (and return a meaningless IsValid setting). This also caused me to define a different ValidationGroup setting for my real data entry validator controls so that I could control them separately and only have them fire when I really wanted validation, and not just my show/hide trick. For a little while I was pretty proud of myself for coming up with this clever approach to get around what I considered to be a serious oversight on the DropDownList and CheckBox controls declarative syntax. Then, in the midst of my smugness, just as I was about to commit my changes to the source code repository, it dawned on me that there is a much simpler and much more appropriate way to accomplish this. All that I really needed to do was to put in my server-side code (I used the Page_Init section) a call to MyControl.Attributes.Add(“onClick”, “myJavaScriptFunctionName()”) for the checkboxes, and for the DropDownLists (which become select tags) use “onChange” instead of “onClick”. This is exactly the type of thing that the Attributes collection is there for…so you can add attributes to be rendered with the control that you would have otherwise stuck right into the HTML markup if you had been doing this by hand in the first place. Ugh! A few hours wasted on clever tricks that I ended up completely removing, but I did learn a lot more about custom validators and validation groups in the process. And got a good reminder that all that stuff (HTML, JavaScript, and CSS) I learned back when I wrote classic ASP pages is still valuable today. Oh, and one more thing…don’t get lulled into too much reliance on the the whiz-bang tool to do it for you. After all, WebControls are just another layer of abstraction, and sometimes you need to dig down through the layers and get a little closer to the native language.

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It's like I'm in recovery mode after update, but I'm not

- by mawburn

I used the Ubuntu software updater and updated to the most recent packages. After the last update today, it's like I have gone into recovery mode, but I haven't. I am running UbuntuGNOME First, everything looks like this: Switching to dark mode does nothing. Also, default applications do not work. Such as Startup and the default screenshot application. Everything was working fine before the latest software update. System Info Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Gnome-Shell 3.10.4 Kernel 3.13.0-29 I can't figure out how to get an update history, but this is almost a fresh install. It's about a week old install and this is the 3rd time I've used the Ubuntu Software Update. I am running AMD ATI HD6700 with the proprietary Catalyst drivers. I tried to provide all information that I thought would be useful, if you need any more please let me know. Edit - I believe something went wrong within these updates: Update Log: Start-Date: 2014-06-09 19:07:07 Commandline: aptdaemon role='role-commit-packages' sender=':1.68' Install: libgnome-desktop-3-10:amd64 (3.12.0-0~eugenesan~trusty2) Upgrade: gnome-session-common:amd64 (3.9.90-0ubuntu12, 3.12.0-0~eugenesan~trusty10), gnome-session-bin:amd64 (3.9.90-0ubuntu12, 3.12.0-0~eugenesan~trusty10), gir1.2-gnomedesktop-3.0:amd64 (3.8.4-0ubuntu3, 3.12.0-0~eugenesan~trusty2), gnome-session:amd64 (3.9.90-0ubuntu12, 3.12.0-0~eugenesan~trusty10), python-libxml2:amd64 (2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.1, 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.2), libspice-server1:amd64 (0.12.4-0nocelt2, 0.12.4-0nocelt2.02~eugenesan~trusty1), gir1.2-mutter-3.0:amd64 (3.10.4-0ubuntu2, 3.10.4-0ubuntu2.1), xserver-xorg-video-qxl:amd64 (0.1.1-0ubuntu3, 0.1.1-0ubuntu3.01), libxml2:amd64 (2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.1, 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.2), libxml2:i386 (2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.1, 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.2), gnome-desktop3-data:amd64 (3.8.4-0ubuntu3, 3.12.0-0~eugenesan~trusty2), mutter:amd64 (3.10.4-0ubuntu2, 3.10.4-0ubuntu2.1), mutter-common:amd64 (3.10.4-0ubuntu2, 3.10.4-0ubuntu2.1), libxml2-utils:amd64 (2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.1, 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.2), libmutter0c:amd64 (3.10.4-0ubuntu2, 3.10.4-0ubuntu2.1) End-Date: 2014-06-09 19:07:12 I also installed Citrix Receiver today, following the tutorial here: Citrix Receiver 12.1 on Ubuntu 14.04 64-bit Log Start-Date: 2014-06-09 18:59:06 Commandline: apt-get install libmotif4:i386 nspluginwrapper lib32z1 libc6-i386 libxp6:i386 libxpm4:i386 libasound2:i386 Install: libmotif-common:amd64 (2.3.4-5, automatic), libatk1.0-0:i386 (2.10.0-2ubuntu2, automatic), libxft2:i386 (2.3.1-2, automatic), libgraphite2-3:i386 (1.2.4-1ubuntu1, automatic), nspluginviewer:i386 (1.4.4-0ubuntu5, automatic), libpango-1.0-0:i386 (1.36.3-1ubuntu1, automatic), libxcursor1:i386 (1.1.14-1, automatic), libmotif4:i386 (2.3.4-5), libxm4:amd64 (2.3.4-5, automatic), libxm4:i386 (2.3.4-5, automatic), libxp6:i386 (1.0.2-1ubuntu1), libpangocairo-1.0-0:i386 (1.36.3-1ubuntu1, automatic), libxcb-render0:i386 (1.10-2ubuntu1, automatic), libthai0:i386 (0.1.20-3, automatic), libharfbuzz0b:i386 (0.9.27-1, automatic), libpixman-1-0:i386 (0.30.2-2ubuntu1, automatic), libpangoft2-1.0-0:i386 (1.36.3-1ubuntu1, automatic), libcairo2:i386 (1.13.0~20140204-0ubuntu1, automatic), lib32z1:amd64 (1.2.8.dfsg-1ubuntu1), libjasper1:i386 (1.900.1-14ubuntu3, automatic), libgtk2.0-0:i386 (2.24.23-0ubuntu1.1, automatic), nspluginwrapper:amd64 (1.4.4-0ubuntu5), libuil4:amd64 (2.3.4-5, automatic), libuil4:i386 (2.3.4-5, automatic), libxcb-shm0:i386 (1.10-2ubuntu1, automatic), libxmu6:i386 (1.1.1-1, automatic), libc6-i386:amd64 (2.19-0ubuntu6), libxinerama1:i386 (1.1.3-1, automatic), libgdk-pixbuf2.0-0:i386 (2.30.7-0ubuntu1, automatic), libxcomposite1:i386 (0.4.4-1, automatic), libmrm4:amd64 (2.3.4-5, automatic), libmrm4:i386 (2.3.4-5, automatic), libdatrie1:i386 (0.2.8-1, automatic), libxrandr2:i386 (1.4.2-1, automatic), libxpm4:i386 (3.5.10-1) End-Date: 2014-06-09 18:59:11

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How to Mentor a Junior Developer

- by Josh Johnson

This title is a little broad but I may need to give a little background before I can ask my question properly. I know that similar questions have been asked here already. But in my case I'm not asking if I should be mentoring someone or if the person is a good fit for being a software developer. That is not my place to judge. I have not been asked outright, but it is apparent that myself and other fellow senior developers are to mentor the new developers that start here. I have no problem with this whatsoever and, in many cases, it lends me a fresh perspective on things and I end up learning in the process. Also, I remember how beneficial it was in the beginning of my career when someone would take some time to teach me something. When I say "new developer" they could be anywhere from fresh out of college to having a year or two of experience. Recently and in the past we've had people start here who seem to have an attitude toward development/programming which is different from mine and hard for me to reconcile; they seem to extract just enough information to get the task done but not really learn from it. I find myself going over and over the same issues with them. I understand that part of this could be a personality thing, but I feel it's my job to do my best and sort of push them out of the nest while they're under my wing, so to speak. How can I impart just enough information so that they will learn but not give so much as to solve the problem for them? Or perhaps: What's the proper response to questions that are designed to take the path of least resistance and, in essence, force them to learn instead of take the easy way out? These questions are probably more general teaching questions and don't have that much to do specifically with software development. Note: I do not get a say in what tasks they are working on. Management doles the task out and it could be anything from a very simple bug fix to starting an entire application by themselves. While this is not ideal by any means and obviously presents its own gauntlet of challenges, I feel it's a topic best left for another question. So the best I can do is help them with the problem at hand and try to help them break it down into simpler problems and also check their commit logs and point out mistakes that they made. My main objectives are to: Help them out and give them the tools they need to start becoming more self-reliant. Steer them in the right direction and break bad development habits early on. Lessen the amount of time I spend with them (the personality type described above seems to need much more one-on-one time and does not do well over IM or email. While that's generally fine, I can't always stop what I'm working on, break my stride, and help them debug an error on a moments notice; I have my own projects that need to get done).

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vmware player xorg driver broke after ubuntu 12.04 LTS automatic system update on 06/07/2014

- by user291828

I am running Ubuntu 12.04 LTS as a virtual machine on a Windows 7 host using vmware player 6.0.2. On Sat. 06/07/2014, Ubuntu performed an automatic system update as it does regularly, however after reboot, the display driver seems to be broken which causes the screen to split into many identical panels. This pretty much rendered the VM unusable. Below is the log entry for that update from /var/log/apt/history.log It appears that at least one of these updates have caused this problem. The exact same problem has been reported on the vmware forum as well, see https://communities.vmware.com/message/2388776#2388776 So far I have not been able so find a solution. Content in /var/log/apt/history.log Start-Date: 2014-06-07 15:04:46 Commandline: aptdaemon role='role-commit-packages' sender=':1.65' Install: linux-headers-3.2.0-64:amd64 (3.2.0-64.97), linux-image-3.2.0-64-generic:amd64 (3.2.0-64.97), linux-headers-3.2.0-64-generic:amd64 (3.2.0-64.97) Upgrade: iproute:amd64 (20111117-1ubuntu2.1, 20111117-1ubuntu2.3), libknewstuff3-4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkdeclarative5:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libnepomukquery4a:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libgnutls-openssl27:amd64 (2.12.14-5ubuntu3.7, 2.12.14-5ubuntu3.8), libthreadweaver4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkdecore5:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libnepomukutils4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libktexteditor4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), linux-generic:amd64 (3.2.0.63.75, 3.2.0.64.76), libkmediaplayer4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkrosscore4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libgnutls26:amd64 (2.12.14-5ubuntu3.7, 2.12.14-5ubuntu3.8), libgnutls26:i386 (2.12.14-5ubuntu3.7, 2.12.14-5ubuntu3.8), libsolid4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libnepomuk4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkdnssd4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkparts4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), kdoctools:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libssl-dev:amd64 (1.0.1-4ubuntu5.13, 1.0.1-4ubuntu5.14), libssl-doc:amd64 (1.0.1-4ubuntu5.13, 1.0.1-4ubuntu5.14), libkidletime4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), linux-headers-generic:amd64 (3.2.0.63.75, 3.2.0.64.76), linux-image-generic:amd64 (3.2.0.63.75, 3.2.0.64.76), libkcmutils4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkfile4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkpty4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkntlm4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libplasma3:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkemoticons4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), kdelibs-bin:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkdewebkit5:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkjsembed4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkio5:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkjsapi4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), openssl:amd64 (1.0.1-4ubuntu5.13, 1.0.1-4ubuntu5.14), kdelibs5-data:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), linux-libc-dev:amd64 (3.2.0-63.95, 3.2.0-64.97), libkde3support4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libknotifyconfig4:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), kdelibs5-plugins:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkhtml5:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkdeui5:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libkdesu5:amd64 (4.8.5-0ubuntu0.2, 4.8.5-0ubuntu0.3), libssl1.0.0:amd64 (1.0.1-4ubuntu5.13, 1.0.1-4ubuntu5.14), libssl1.0.0:i386 (1.0.1-4ubuntu5.13, 1.0.1-4ubuntu5.14) End-Date: 2014-06-07 15:09:08

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To SYNC or not to SYNC – Part 4

- by AshishRay

This is Part 4 of a multi-part blog article where we are discussing various aspects of setting up Data Guard synchronous redo transport (SYNC). In Part 1 of this article, I debunked the myth that Data Guard SYNC is similar to a two-phase commit operation. In Part 2, I discussed the various ways that network latency may or may not impact a Data Guard SYNC configuration. In Part 3, I talked in details regarding why Data Guard SYNC is a good thing, and the distance implications you have to keep in mind. In this final article of the series, I will talk about how you can nicely complement Data Guard SYNC with the ability to failover in seconds. Wait - Did I Say “Seconds”? Did I just say that some customers do Data Guard failover in seconds? Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Data Guard has an automatic failover capability, aptly called Fast-Start Failover. Initially available with Oracle Database 10g Release 2 for Data Guard SYNC transport mode (and enhanced in Oracle Database 11g to support Data Guard ASYNC transport mode), this capability, managed by Data Guard Broker, lets your Data Guard configuration automatically failover to a designated standby database. Yes, this means no human intervention is required to do the failover. This process is controlled by a low footprint Data Guard Broker client called Observer, which makes sure that the primary database and the designated standby database are behaving like good kids. If something bad were to happen to the primary database, the Observer, after a configurable threshold period, tells that standby, “Your time has come, you are the chosen one!” The standby dutifully follows the Observer directives by assuming the role of the new primary database. The DBA or the Sys Admin doesn’t need to be involved. And - in case you are following this discussion very closely, and are wondering … “Hmmm … what if the old primary is not really dead, but just network isolated from the Observer or the standby - won’t this lead to a split-brain situation?” The answer is No - It Doesn’t. With respect to why-it-doesn’t, I am sure there are some smart DBAs in the audience who can explain the technical reasons. Otherwise - that will be the material for a future blog post. So - this combination of SYNC and Fast-Start Failover is the nirvana of lights-out, integrated HA and DR, as practiced by some of our advanced customers. They have observed failover times (with no data loss) ranging from single-digit seconds to tens of seconds. With this, they support operations in industry verticals such as manufacturing, retail, telecom, Internet, etc. that have the most demanding availability requirements. One of our leading customers with massive cloud deployment initiatives tells us that they know about server failures only after Data Guard has automatically completed the failover process and the app is back up and running! Needless to mention, Data Guard Broker has the integration hooks for interfaces such as JDBC and OCI, or even for custom apps, to ensure the application gets automatically rerouted to the new primary database after the database level failover completes. Net Net? To sum up this multi-part blog article, Data Guard with SYNC redo transport mode, plus Fast-Start Failover, gives you the ideal triple-combo - that is, it gives you the assurance that for critical outages, you can failover your Oracle databases: very fast without human intervention, and without losing any data. In short, it takes the element of risk out of critical IT operations. It does require you to be more careful with your network and systems planning, but as far as HA is concerned, the benefits outweigh the investment costs. So, this is what we in the MAA Development Team believe in. What do you think? How has your deployment experience been? We look forward to hearing from you!

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Application Module Extension in Oracle Application R12

- by Manoj Madhusoodanan

In this blog I will describe how to Extend Application Module.I will explain this based on my previous blog PL/SQL based EO. I want to extend FndUserAM to add a procedure to raise a custom business event when the FND_USER has created successfully. Here I am using a custom business event "xxcust.oracle.apps.demo_event". Please find the code used in Business Event. TablePackage Following steps needs to perform. 1) Download all files pertaining to "Entity Object Based on PL/SQL" to JDEV_USER_HOME/myprojects and JDEV_USER_HOME/myclasses.If you want to see the content of source java file decompile it and save it in JDEV_USER_HOME/myprojects. 2) Create XXFndUserAM as follows. 3) Add following method to XXFndUserAMImpl. import oracle.apps.fnd.framework.OAException; import oracle.apps.fnd.framework.server.OADBTransactionImpl; import oracle.apps.fnd.wf.bes.BusinessEvent; import oracle.apps.fnd.wf.bes.BusinessEventException; import java.sql.Connection; public void raiseEvent(String userName) { String eventName = "xxcust.oracle.apps.demo_event"; String eventKey = userName; Connection conn = ((OADBTransactionImpl)getOADBTransaction()).getJdbcConnection(); BusinessEvent event = null; try{ event = new BusinessEvent(eventName, eventKey); /* Setting Parameters */ event.setStringProperty("USER_NAME",userName); event.setStringProperty("STATUS","User has created sucessfully"); event.raise(conn); } catch (BusinessEventException e) { throw new OAException("Exception occured when invoking web service - "+e.getMessage()); } getOADBTransaction().commit(); } 4) Create a controller which extends from xxcust.oracle.apps.fnd.user.webui.CreateFndUserCO.Call raiseEvent method from new controller. 5) Create substitution for FndUserAM. 6) Migrate following files to $JAVA_TOP. xxcustom.oracle.apps.fnd.user.server.FndUserAMImpl.javaxxcustom.oracle.apps.fnd.user.server.XXFndUserAM.xmlxxcustom.oracle.apps.fnd.user.webui.XXCreateFndUserCO.java 8) Migrate the substitution. 9) Restart the server. 10) Personalize the page /xxcust/oracle/apps/fnd/user/webuiCreateFndUserPG and set the new controller. 11) Verify the substitution has properly applied by clicking About the Page. 12) Access the page and create a user. You can the the result of the Business Event.

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Let Me Show You Something: Instagram, Vine and Snapchat for Brands

- by Mike Stiles

While brands are well aware of how much more impactful images are than text-only posts on social channels, today you’re additionally being presented with platform after additional platform for hosting, doctoring and sharing photos and videos. Can you play in every sandbox? And if you do, can you be brilliant on all of them? As has usually been the case, so far brands are sticking their toes into new platforms while not actually committing to them, or strategizing for them, or resourcing them. TrackMaven found of the 123 F500 companies using Instagram, only 22% of them are active on it. Likewise, research from Simply Measured found brands are indeed jumping in, with the number establishing a presence on Instagram up 55% over the past year. Users want them there…brand engagement has exploded 350%, and over 1/3 of the top brands have at least 10,000 followers. BUT…the top 10 brands are generating 33% of all posts, reaping 83% of all engagement. Things are also growing on Twitter’s Vine, the 6-second looping video app that hit 40 million users in August. The 7th Chamber says 5 tweets a second contain a Vine link. Other studies say branded Vines are 4 times more likely to be shared and seen than rank-and-file branded videos. Why? Users know that even if a video is pure junk, they won’t get robbed of too much of their valuable time. Vine is always upgrading so you can make sure your videos are worth viewers’ time. You can now edit videos, and save & work on several projects concurrently. What you can’t do is upload a finely crafted video into Vine, but you can do that with Instagram. The key to success? Same as with all other content; make it of value. Deliver a laugh or a lesson or both. How-to, behind the scenes peeks, contests, demos, all make sense in the short video format. Or follow Nash Grier’s example, which is to just have fun with and connect to your viewers, earning their trust that your next Vine will be as good as the last. Nash is only 15, has over 1.4 million followers, and adds about 100,000 a week. He broke out when one of his videos was re-Vined by some other kid with 300,000 followers. Make good stuff, get it in front of influencers, and your brand Vines could break out as well. Then there’s Snapchat, the “this photo will self destruct” platform. How can that be of use to brands besides offering coupons that really expire? The jury is out. But with an audience of over 100 million and a valuation of $800 million, media-with-a-time-limit is compelling. Now there’s “Snapchat Stories” that can last 24 hours and be shared to the public at large. You might be able to capitalize on how much more focus gets put on content when there’s a time limit on its availability. The underlying truth to all of this is, these are all tools. Very cool, feature rich tools, but tools. You can give the exact same art kit to 5 different people and you’d get back 5 very different works, ranging from worthless garbage to masterpiece. Brands are being called upon to be still and moving image artists. That’s what your customers are used to seeing, from a variety of sources. Commit to communicating with them accordingly. @mikestiles Photo: stock.xchng

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