'Does this sound like an unqualified positive review? I hope so, because that is my intent.'

Christopher Foot, Consulting Editor, dbazine.com, 12^th April 2005

This book is a must-read for all administrators who are responsible for supporting a PeopleSoft application. After reading PeopleSoft for the Oracle DBA, members of my unit have a more thorough understanding of the PeopleSoft application environment. As a result, the quality of support we are providing to our PeopleSoft applications is at a higher level than before we read this book. Does this sound like an unqualified positive review?  I hope so, because that is my intent.

Read the full article at dbazine.com

'Solid book, briefing you on the many areas a DBA needs'

Graham Bowden, 31^st December 2004

'David Kurtz has put together the knowledge that he has gathered about installing and performance tuning a PeopleSoft system that uses Oracle. If you are an Oracle DBA running PeopleSoft then this book is for you. It covers versions 7.5 through to 8.44 and has considerable background info about how PeopleSoft uses the web server, Tuxedo and (of course) the Oracle database.

The book covers performance troubleshooting in some depth - showing how to check each tier's performance. This includes some basics of web server tuning, the intricacies of the application server and the link between the SQL used on the database and how PeopleCode and queries are written. Here the book crosses over briefly and would be useful to developers too.

The main area that I would have liked to see more on would be the regular maintenance jobs that a DBA will need to do to keep a PeopleSoft system up and running e.g. which items should be checked on a regular basis, back ups, audits, managing upgrades.'

'Pragmatic, focused, detailed'

Jack Herrington, 10^th January 2005

'This book is a deep in-depth view of the function of PeopleSoft on an Oracle database. Not only does it cover the fundamentals of how PeopleSoft uses the database features, it also details almost every table in the system on a row by row basis. An in-depth resource which is sure to be invaluable to anyone using this software configuration.'

'Suddenly much more relevant'

Wes Boudville, 21^st December 2004

'It is impossible to analyse this book while ignoring the takeover last week of PeopleSoft by Oracle. Unless something strange happens, that is a done deal. So either the entire raison d'etre for the book has vanished, or it has suddenly taken on new urgency. Over a year ago, when Oracle first announced its bid, Ellison said they only wanted PeopleSoft's customers. Gosh. No need for this book then. But after much to-do, Oracle "pledged" to "over-support" the customers. Now, it looks like a lot of Oracle DBAs are going to need this book, to understand integrating the two databases.

Another audience for the book has also emerged. Current PeopleSoft DBAs. At least the smarter ones. Because this book is about the PeopleSoft database, as seen from the perspective of Oracle. Of course, a PeopleSoft DBA now needs to quickly learn Oracle [from other texts]. But it is also prudent to see your database from the Oracle side, since that is going to be the dominant view, going forward. Realistically, in the long run, Oracle is going to merge the two databases. Guess which will dominate? Right now, you may have some job security, inasmuch as that merging will take years, and Oracle needs blokes to maintain the PeopleSoft databases.

By the way, it is not just employees of PeopleSoft who should do this. If you are a DBA in some company that is currently using PeopleSoft, consider carefully the previous suggestion.'

© David Kurtz 2015