RE: Informix vs. Oracle

Bill Dunno much about Oracle, but cant they SET SAVEPOINT TO n, where n is = the number of records that are processed before a COMMIT. If thats true, = then maybe by setting SAVEPOINT =3D 1, it can mimic the capability of a = HOLD CURSOR in Informix? Just a thought. Sujit Pal ---------- From: Bill Ennis[SMTP:ennis@ssax.com] Sent: Thursday, August 21, 1997 7:49 AM To: Nils.Myklebust@idg.no Cc: informix-list@rmy.emory.edu Subject: Re: Informix vs. Oracle I believe that Oracle only closes UPDATE cursors on a commit. Meaning that a normal cursor is created with hold by default and I know of no way to keep an update cursor open after a commit is done. I passed this infomation on to some in house Oracle consultants we have but they didn't think it was a serious problem. I disagree. If I have an update with a large number of rows in Informix I=20 can enclose each fetch and corresponding update where current of in an individual transaction. In Oracle I must enclose the entire update cursor within a single transaction! In addition Oracle does not support the cursor stability isolation level! The solution I was given from the Oracle guys was to make sure that my update cursor does not contain a large number of rows. Gee thanks ;-((( -Bill }=20 } ennis@ssax.com (Bill Ennis) wrote: }=20 } :What about update cursors in Oracle? Oracle will lock EVERY row } :associated with an update cursor when the cursor is opened! Informix } :will lock the row when it fetches. In this case Infomrix is better } :for transaction independency. }=20 } Such behaviour would have been a total showstopper for us. } Do you (or anyone else) know if Oracle have "hold" cursors (cursors } that are keept open accross a transaction)? } In case they do are all rows locked when the cursor is opened in this } case as well? } If that is the case what happen to these locks when a transaction is } committed? }=20 } The Informix solution in this area is very good. }=20 }=20 } Nils.Myklebust@idg.no } NM Data AS, P.O.Box 9090 Gronland, N-0133 Oslo, Norway } My opinions are those of my company } The Informix FAQ is at http://www.iiug.org -- Bill Ennis Voice: 312-474-7516 SSA Fax: 312-474-7460 500 W. Madison email: ennis@ssax.com ennis@accesschicago.net