The existing server extensibilities in modern DBMSs have been critical
in our company's development of software products that improve
database performance for certain scientific computing applications.
We are planning to develop other products that will utilize an
extensible database engine, and so we would be grateful for feedback
on the following questions as they pertain to your experience in
developing Oracle applications:

1. What types of extensibility (i.e., data types, functions/
methods, indexing, etc.) are available and convenient to use in
practice?
2. What types of extensibility (possibly already available in
other DBMSs) are currently missing in Oracle?
3. To what extent was your choice of Oracle as a development
platform based primarily on its extensibility features?

Eric Davies wrote:
Those that optimize performance and scalability for the specific
application. Not those that are generic across all major commercial
products. Generic = mediocre in almost all cases.

Can't think of one. On the other hand had you asked the question in
the reverse you might get back a small novel.

1%. There are many good reasons to choose a specific RDBMS. Those of
use who work in countries that have laws start off by looking for
products that allow for compliance.

For example lets say you run a medical facility and store patient data.
In the US HIPAA requires that you audit SELECT statements. The most
extensible product on the planet, that does not contain a native
ability to perform those audits is worth precisely zero if you ever
find yourself the defendant in a lawsuit.

I the future, when asking questions, consider defining your terms. Not
everyone here knows what you intend by your use of the word "extensible."
--
Daniel A. Morgan
Oracle Ace Director & Instructor
University of Washington
damorgan@x.washington.edu (replace x with u to respond)
Puget Sound Oracle Users Group
www.psoug.org

Eric Davies wrote:
Those that optimize performance and scalability for the specific
application. Not those that are generic across all major commercial
products. Generic = mediocre in almost all cases.

Can't think of one. On the other hand had you asked the question in
the reverse you might get back a small novel.

1%. There are many good reasons to choose a specific RDBMS. Those of
use who work in countries that have laws start off by looking for
products that allow for compliance.

For example lets say you run a medical facility and store patient data.
In the US HIPAA requires that you audit SELECT statements. The most
extensible product on the planet, that does not contain a native
ability to perform those audits is worth precisely zero if you ever
find yourself the defendant in a lawsuit.

I the future, when asking questions, consider defining your terms. Not
everyone here knows what you intend by your use of the word "extensible."
--
Daniel A. Morgan
Oracle Ace Director & Instructor
University of Washington
damorgan@x.washington.edu (replace x with u to respond)
Puget Sound Oracle Users Group
www.psoug.org

Eric Davies wrote:
Those that optimize performance and scalability for the specific
application. Not those that are generic across all major commercial
products. Generic = mediocre in almost all cases.

Can't think of one. On the other hand had you asked the question in
the reverse you might get back a small novel.

1%. There are many good reasons to choose a specific RDBMS. Those of
use who work in countries that have laws start off by looking for
products that allow for compliance.

For example lets say you run a medical facility and store patient data.
In the US HIPAA requires that you audit SELECT statements. The most
extensible product on the planet, that does not contain a native
ability to perform those audits is worth precisely zero if you ever
find yourself the defendant in a lawsuit.

I the future, when asking questions, consider defining your terms. Not
everyone here knows what you intend by your use of the word "extensible."
--
Daniel A. Morgan
Oracle Ace Director & Instructor
University of Washington
damorgan@x.washington.edu (replace x with u to respond)
Puget Sound Oracle Users Group
www.psoug.org

Eric Davies wrote:
Those that optimize performance and scalability for the specific
application. Not those that are generic across all major commercial
products. Generic = mediocre in almost all cases.

Can't think of one. On the other hand had you asked the question in
the reverse you might get back a small novel.

1%. There are many good reasons to choose a specific RDBMS. Those of
use who work in countries that have laws start off by looking for
products that allow for compliance.

For example lets say you run a medical facility and store patient data.
In the US HIPAA requires that you audit SELECT statements. The most
extensible product on the planet, that does not contain a native
ability to perform those audits is worth precisely zero if you ever
find yourself the defendant in a lawsuit.

I the future, when asking questions, consider defining your terms. Not
everyone here knows what you intend by your use of the word "extensible."
--
Daniel A. Morgan
Oracle Ace Director & Instructor
University of Washington
damorgan@x.washington.edu (replace x with u to respond)
Puget Sound Oracle Users Group
www.psoug.org