From: sjs@netcom.com (Stephen Schow)
Subject: Re: Excel 4.0, DAL and Oracle databases
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 19:56:45 GMT

Steve,

To my understanding, DAL requires that you purchase and install a DAL server
on your host.  According to sources that I have tapped into at Oracle
and at the IOUG conference in S.F., DAL is actually a poor performer because
it has to go through an additional layer after SQL*NET.  In other words,
you would have Excel->DAL->Dal(Host)->SQL*NET->oracle........or something like
that.  The SQL*NET layer is actually a bunch of lower layers piled up.

Anyhow, I would look into some other products if I were you.  There are 2
other ways to get data from Oracle into Excel on the Mac.  We have not tested
either of them yet, but I have already ordered the later of the two for testing.
They are called 'Second Wind' and 'Clear Access'.  Clear Access looks to be
far superior to Second Wind.  Clear Access comes with a DA that will let you
suck oracle data into ANY macintosh application via the clipboard.  It also
provides 12 functions that are callable from an Excel Macro.  (It actually
provides these programming hooks for many different macintosh applications
that support some sort of scripting or macro language).  If you are familiar
with Excel macros at all, then you will know that it is possible to create
Excel Add-in's that are basically macros.  Items can be installed into the menu
bar and so forth.  Clear Access itself has its own scripting language, and
provides a GREAT DEAL of flexibility.  I was very impressed by this product
at the IOUG conference.  95% of the mac-based demonstrators there were using
Clear Access to bring data from Oracle into their application.  Its 
performance is very superior to DAL because it uses SQL*NET directly, without
the need for the DAL server software on the host, although it does require
SQL*NET on each mac.  They are also working on some new software that will
include a full fledged Oracle ReportWriter(GUI).  One last thing, they have
both Mac AND Windows versions and they look and feel and program and configure
the same!!!!

If I were you I would at least check it out.  They have
a fully functional demo version(it doesn't go to oracle, but rather to a local
mac database that they provide) that will show you what you can do and let
you play with it.  Give them a call (515) 472-7077.  Let me know how it comes
out as we are also trying to evaluate mac based client packages.  

We are attempting to make the slow transition to client/server.  
Have you had any experiences with other Mac-based software that taps into
Oracle?

Good luck!

PS -

Second Wind just gives you access to Oracle through Excel.  It is much less
flexible than Clear Access.  It is also a smaller opertation.  I got the
sense that it was a couple of guys working out of their home.  However, it
was still reccomended over DAL because it goes straight through SQL*NET
like Clear Access does.

-- 
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Steve Schow    | But you don't have to use the claw, if you
sjs@netcom.com | pick the pear with the big paw paw......
               | Have I given you a clue......?
               |                       - Baloo the Bear
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.databases