Re: OT Discussion- Priority of Performance Tuning...

  • From: David Fitzjarrell <oratune@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "kellyn.potvin@xxxxxxxxx" <kellyn.potvin@xxxxxxxxx>, "oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:34:14 -0700 (PDT)

Here it's the exact opposite; performance is of the utmost priority as many of 
our processes are constrained by windows of comparatively short duration and if 
our jobs don't complete within those windows many outside of our enterprise are 
adversely affected.  Also our on-line processes must run quickly, again as 
many outside of the company are adversely affected (we run several 
business-oriented processes for subscribers).
 
My job is to assist the developers in writing efficient code and to ensure that 
what is running is both tuned and scalable so that when we have record days 
(we had an exceptionally good one a couple of weeks ago) the system runs 
smoothly and efficiently.  I admit that this is not likely the norm, but it's 
how our bread is buttered where I work and I am grateful this is a priority and 
the product of forethought rather than an 'also-ran' at development time.
 
I'll be  happy to discuss this in more detail off-line.
David Fitzjarrell


From: Kellyn Pot'vin <kellyn.potvin@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 10:16 AM
Subject: OT Discussion- Priority of Performance Tuning...

I am about to approve this comment out on my blog from one of my favorite DBA 
God's:
"Yep, like Cary is saying " 90% of performance tuning is politics". I am 
paraphrasing. Don't hold me to the exact quote or percentage.I don't understand 
"priorities for the business may not be the same as a priority for the 
DBAâ??s". If it is not a priority for the business why should it be a priority 
for the DBA? Politics work both ways. You are skating close to CTD. If nobody 
else cares about performance why should you?"
I respect his opinion and it did get me thinking about where performance tuning 
falls in the priority of tasks for most database environments.  I commonly am 
brought into places that have a history of bringing code/designs to production 
in a short time-span, business requirements and/or revenue demanding that 
everything works being more important than it working efficiently or performing 
well, then my job is to go in and correct this "little oversight".  

I honestly don't think it's intentional by the business to move poor performing 
or code that will only be able to sustain the business for a short period of 
time into production, it's just due to the demands of the business for many 
companies.  This does, however, make performance tuning a lesser priority in 
many environments, (and keeps me in demand and well employed... :))

As I specialize in this area, I now question the kind DBA's on the list to see 
if you also find performance tuning a lesser priority in the environments 
you've worked in.  I'm also curious what kind of environment it is, (private 
sector, retail, banking, government, etc..)  Just like disaster recovery and 
other tasks that DBA's may put a higher priority on, the business, as it does 
not always directly correspond to revenue, does not view as part of the goal...

Please feel free to email me directly if you wish to remain anonymous..
 

Kellyn Pot'Vin
Sr. Database Administrator and Developer
DBAKevlar.com
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