Oracle: Draw a Map of Variables and Subprograms Using PL/Scope
by Arup Nanda

You just inherited a complex piece of code and you are trying to understand how the calls are made from and to various subprograms, between variables and variables and sub-programs. If there are a handful of them, you can probably examine them by manual analysis and determine the hierarchy; but that will be pretty much impossible for a long and complicated program. In Oracle Database 11g, the answer is really simple. A new feature called PL/Scope makes it easy. >Read full article

DB2: Table Spaces And Locking Levels, Part 1
by Bonnie Baker

While I was talking with a programmer about locking contention and overhead one day, I mentioned table and table space locking. She looked at me and in all innocence said, "Oh, we don't ever use table space or table locking here. We only use page locking." Buried in that response was the seed of an article. >Read full article

Software Development Tips & Techniques: Prepare Properly for Systems Implementation
by Tom Mochal

The implementation phase is where you ask the hard question - "are you ready?" Ideally, you have completed much of the hard work in the prior project phases. At this point, you should have an approved solution, an implementation plan, implementation activities in your schedule and a project team that is ready to go. You should also have already completed the appropriate documentation, including a user's manual. >Read full article