SQLJ: Tricks, Traps, and Gems
an Irreverent, Indispensable, and Interactive Primer on Oracle SQLJ

Ekkehard Rohwedder, Oracle Corporation

Who is this for? You know SQL and Java, and you want to learn Oracle SQLJ — read on!

What is this? This is a primer —a small introductory pamphlet— on Oracle's version of SQLJ. If you use paint primer, you cover the entire area, although the primer might not cover everything in the required depth or finish. You also use primer to ignite an explosive charge. We hope you will find this primer wide-ranging, brief, indispensable, and lighthearted — in other words: a blast.

What else do I get? A truckload of warnings, references, and exercises.

• Throughout this primer you will find dire warnings.
• Even if you do not read anything else, read (and heed) these warnings! You will be glad you did and will save yourself time and frustration.
• You will also find a number of references to the real documentation, as well as to the demo programs. Follow these if you are stuck, if you need more information, or if you want to learn the truth. Also make sure you peruse the other available SQLJ information.
• SQLJ Developer's Guide and Reference, Part No. A64684-02
• SQLJ Demo Programs at [Oracle Home]/sqlj/demo/
• JDBC Developer's Guide and Reference, Part No. A64685-02
• JPublisher Developer's Guide and Reference, Part No. A68027-02
• SQLJ Whitepaper "An Overview of SQLJ - Embedded SQL in Java", at [Oracle Home]/sqlj/doc/sqlj-overview.pdf
• SQLJ Whitepaper "Using Oracle Objects in SQLJ Programs", at [Oracle Home]/sqlj/doc/sqlj-objects.pdf
• SQLJ Runtime Documentation, at [Oracle Home]/sqlj/doc/runtime/javadoc/packages.html
• Oracle SQLJ Website, at http://www.oracle.com/java/sqlj/
• Oracle Technology Network Website, at http://technet.oracle.com -> java -> sqlj&jdbc
• Finally, you will discover lots of exercises throughout. The number of stars indicate the difficulty of the exercise — easy (*), medium (**), and hard (***). If you are a learning-by-doing kind of guy (or gal), then just pick up some of the problems and have fun. At this point, there are no sample solutions to the exercises. You might want to check the preceding web site or —better yet— send in your solutions.

1. (*) Why are the exercises given in small print? Answer: Just as in life, it's the small print that counts.

• This primer specifically addresses the command line version of SQLJ. Not everything covered here is equally applicable to the Oracle JDeveloper development environment or to the SQLJ translator that is part of the JServer VM.