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I attended an interesting session today at Collaborate 2010 that focused on using pre-built frameworks for PL/SQL development.  I hadn’t really thought much about this area but it definitely made sense as began to understand the context.

In most development environments there are frameworks of code that offer basic functionality that developers typically need.  For example, a framework might include routines for logging, error-handling, messaging, and unit-testing.  Frameworks provide a head start for developers because they provide essential functions that are robust and tested.  This reduces development and testing for common processes that are used over and over.  Reuse is one of those buzz words that really make sense.  Frameworks epitomize the best in “reuse”.

PL/SQL which is procedural language for SQL is one the most popular languages for developing stored procedures that execute within the Oracle database.  They are fast, powerful and efficient.  Using PL/SQL allows developers to develop complex functionality that executes quickly in the database memory and which can reduce the workload for application developers who won’t need to develop lots of SQL queries.

Many years ago I supported a group of developers in this way.  I developed multiple packages that they could call with simple queries.  My packages did complex joins for tables and then provided them the resultsets.  This approach allowed them to focus on the user interaction while I handled the business logic and data.

Bill Coulam, the speaker at this particular presentation, has developed a PL/SQL framework that he is offering at no-cost on SourceForge.  He calls it PLSQL Starter.  His is not the only framework available but it has many of the basics that most companies should consider.

If you would like to download Mr. Coulam’s product and read his documentation, you can find it here.

And if you are interested you can look at Pluto which is a PL/SQL framework that is more focused on unit testing.  You can find it here.