History of SQLPLUS Based Tools

Starting out as a DBA was not an easy road for me just like it wasn't easy for you I am sure. You've probably been there - around the clock, beat to the ground, DB live or die issues, data corruptions, weird recovery scenarios, failed hardware, etc. etc. etc.. No matter what the cause is it all comes down to one thing and one thing only or shall I say one person - YOU.

Yes, it's you who have to deal with the consequences no matter who's fault it is. It's you who have to be ready to step in and do the job 24x7x365. Having such a demanding job requires some creativity from a DBA. I realized that I needed tools that are portable, small, easy to install and migrate. Something else became apparent to me - the need to access these tools from any UNIX/PC workstation not only my laptop or workstation at work.

Modern database environments are getting more and more complicated demanding a new breed of DBAs. You can no longer look at single component at a time instead you need to be able to see the entire picture, know the trends and be able to spot anomalies before they become bigger problems. If you fail in this task you will make your job a lot harder and eventually crash and burn all together.

What you will find here is what works for me day in day out - 24x7x365 - it is the result of my quest for what I described above. It is what keeps me sharp and ready. It is what I stand by and work on to improve.

Available for download

• EVNT - Event Monitoring System
• SQLDIR - SQL Directory

EVNT - Event Monitoring System

EVNT is an event monitoring framework that has been developed to accommodate the hardcore DBAs that depend on sqlplus and the UNIX programming environment to administer and monitor Oracle Database and Oracle Applications. You don't need fancy JAVA applet that will fail when you need it the most at 3AM after a 26 hour gig. EVNT makes it easy to use the tools you already know.

EVNT enables you to anticipate issues instead of reacting to them by providing your with scheduling/notification framework that can run your custom scripts and can notify you via email if your script generates an output.

Highlights of the EVNT Features:

• FREE Framework
• Runs on Linux and Unix (SUN Solaris)
• Character and HTTP Interface
• Repository is stored in ORACLE database
• Framework is written in KSH + PLSQL
• Allows "plug in" of custom SQL*Plus and Shell scripts

EVNT - Download:

• EVNT: Download install files and documentations
• EVNT: Notification and Escalation Process [EMAIL/PAGER]
• EVNT: Character based interface [SSH/TELNET]
• EVNT: All about Events
• EVNT: Custom SQL Script PlugIn Tutorial

SQLDIR - SQL Directory

One stop sqlplus script management utility for Oracle:

• Sql scripts reside on OS file system (UNIX, WINDOWS)
• They are organized into categories using special tags embedded into each script (very simple like html)
• SQLDIR parser scans them into searchable repository
• Access scripts right from sqlplus using user friendly menu (character based for hardcore telnet users)
• True tool for hardcore Oracle DBA that relies on sqlplus rather then GUI tools because sqlplus is always there
• Parser is written in C making it very fast
• Organize just about any sqlplus script (adhoc reporting ...)
• New scripts are easily added to repository and automatically parsed for description tag and category tag (set up a cron job and all new scripts will be at the tip of your finger momentarily)
• Repository is saved as sqlplus script which makes it portable take it anywhere and have it up and running in seconds perfect for all you road warriors out there ... I know - I was in consulting for years.

I no longer "sell" SQLDIR you can get if free here: Download SQLDIR (Free SOURCE Code is included)