My Remarks!

This article is about how Java programs can be developed directly in the Oracle database and in particular, it shows an example how to access the file system of the operating system. Since the Oracle version 8, it is possible to write Java code direct within the database. So it would be possible, to write stored procedures with Java instead of using PL/SQL. Nevertheless, the advantages of PL/SQL are the safe and stable processing of mass data, so there is no need to change to Java in this part. But if we have issues who are located outside of the database, we will reach the limits of PL/SQL very quickly. This is the point where Java starts, because the language itself is independent of the operating system and therefore it is predestined for tasks like this. In addition, we can rely on a vast range of finished Java solutions, who can than operate within the Oracle database. Maybe there are a few slightly modifications needed but in general it is not a big deal.

However, a weak point of this is the actuality of Java! The version within the database is "lagging" behind the current versions. This is because that a stable Java version is the base of the development of a new database release. While this new release than is productive for years, there are no changes in the internal version of Java, whereas the Java world outside of the Oracle database has already seen significant developments. The result is, that a Oracle version 11.2, which is very common right now (the first release dates from 2007), has the Java Runtime version 1.5.0_10 (2005!) included.

The entire source code of the directory list example you will find here!