John H Goodwin

These resources are for database related topics.

All Databases

• Connection Strings - Need I say more? Most of us hate writing them, examples a plenty here.

Oracle

• Toad - I use the Oracle Freeware one. Opinions differ, but I prefer it over SQL*Plus, no offense to anyone.
• Oracle reference at TechOnTheNet - While incomplete, it's got a simple reference, often good enough for those brain cramp times.
• PSOUG Oracle Morgan's Library - I have used this set of reference many times as it tends to have many examples. I usually hit this one via google though.
• Ask Tom Oracle - Priceless collection of question/answers with Tom Kyte. Excellent examples, very thorough, and tries to break every question down into the lowest common denominator.

SQL Server

• SQL Server Express 2005 Main Site - Nice version. For those using Developer editions, I recommend you *NOT* use the developer edition except maybe for the tools install. I would highly suggest you use the SQL Express 2005 unless you truly need something higher. The reason is because Express can be freely distributed lowering your licensing burden.
  
• SQL Server Express 2005 Management Studio - Wow that's a mouthful. Also the poorman's version of Enterprise Manager, made by Microsoft.
• SQL Server 2005 Instant Initialization - I've never personally used the strategies in this article, but it looked interesting. For large databases, the benchmarks posted show decided advantage for *not* initializing your databases, and also how to utilize this option.