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Grant Execute on SYS.DBMS_SYS_SQL, Smart DBAs say NO

The Oracle database ships with a supplied but undocumented PL/SQL package named SYS.DBMS_SYS_SQL. This package enables the execution of dynamic SQL but it also enables the parsing of a statement as a specific database user and with the privileges of this specific database user. This PL/SQL package is highly privileged, obviously. The EXECUTE privilege on this package is not granted to database user, by default. It should almost never be granted to any database user, ever. When asked to grant execution on this package to someone, a smart DBA will always say "no."

via http://joelkallman.blogspot.com/2010/08/application-express-and-parsing-of-sql.html
More from http://www.pythian.com/news/652/using-dbms_sys_sql-to-execute-statements-as-another-user/

SQLSaturday Open for Registration

On the weekend of May 22, 2010, the Portland Development community is coming together in a way never experienced before.

Using the University of Portland campus, SQLSaturday, Portland Code Camp, and Portland Bar Camp are combining and coordinating efforts to bring 800-1000 regional technology professionals together for the opportunity to immerse themselves in seminars, presentations, group exploration, and networking. Participants will be able to engage in their preferred technology, as well as to 'sample' other options

Admittance to this event is free, all costs are covered by donations and sponsorships. Please register soon as seating is limited, and let friends and colleages know about the event.

>> Click here to register.

Portland SQLSaturday is encouraging presentations related to interoperability of any of the SQL platforms, including T-SQL (SQL Server), PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle PL/SQL. Abstracts for Platform specific sessions are also encouraged. The event is scheduled on Saturday May 22, 2010 from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

Most sessions will be one hour and fifteen minutes (1:15), and a few 'deep dive' sessions will be longer (2.5 hours). The  'deep dive' sessions will be scheduled for 7:00 PM (after the snacks and refreshments.) Also, throughout the day, there may be opportunities for 30 minute 'SQL snack' sessions.

>> Click here to submit your presentation abstract.

I encourage all Oracle SQL and PL/SQL enthusiasts living in the Pacific Northwest to present in and/or attend this not-to-be-missed event.

Oracle Automatically Sorts Associative Array Keys

You may or not know - but it is the truth all the same - that when you populate an Associative Array (the thing that once upon a time was called PL/SQL Table and Index By Table), Oracle will keep the keys in sorted order. If our associative array is index(ed) by varchar2 that means the keys are in alphabetical order and when the array is index(ed) by any of the numeric types, its keys are kept in natural order from smallest to largest value.
via technology.amis.nl