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The comments on Oracle8 will occur during Part I and II of the book. This is the portion of the book that will discuss database design. Later parts of the book will include information on expected changes to Developer 2000.

SQL*PLUS—Oracle's Database Language

SQL*PLUS uses the SQL language. SQL stands for Structure Query Language, and is the industry standard adopted by all database vendors. SQL defines database objects such as tables, indexes, views, and synonyms. It also allows you to manipulate the data through various commands. Commands you learn for Oracle may also be used against a DB2 or Access database. SQL is ANSI compliant. The Oracle7 database understands only the SQL language.

Other Oracle Products

Developer 2000 is a suite of tools that allow you to develop, implement, and maintain the software for the Oracle7 database. It consists of Oracle Forms 4.5, a robust product that allows you to develop Windows-type screens to manipulate data. This is Oracle's front-end product and provides for rapid application development. Another important product is Oracle Reports 2.5, which is Oracle's main report writing product. It allows for the development of highly formatted reports. The tool suite also includes Oracle Graphics, a product that enables you to develop display modules. A module may be a chart that you derive from the database or a graphic representation that has no bearing on the database. Oracle Browser is another tool in the suite that allows the user to develop simple queries. This is an ideal tool for the casual user that wants to have a tool to perform an ad hoc query, but does not want to develop a report.

Oracle Book, which is an on-line document viewing facility for sharing text across Oracle products, is also included in the set. Other products include SQL*NET and Oracle Procedure Builder.

Designer 2000

Designer 2000 is Oracle's case tool product, which consists of the Case Dictionary, Oracle Forms Generator, Oracle Reports Generator, and Case Designer.

Personal Oracle7

Personal Oracle7 is Oracle's database for the personal computer. It operates in both DOS and Windows. Most of the topics that apply to the Oracle7 database also apply to this product.

Conventions and Techniques Used Throughout
this Book

This book uses several conventions. Key words or technical jargon explained in a section are italicized. Tips and notes are placed throughout the book. These items are contained in frames that denote their purpose. The tips are based upon the past experiences of the author.

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The book contains many listings and examples. The code for these listings and examples can be found on the CD. The listings begin with the letter l followed by the number of the chapter and the listing number. This name can be used to identify the file on the CD.

The names of the forms used as examples are identified in the chapter. Each chapter has a completed form that contains the modifications discussed in the chapter. This form may be used as a practice form for the techniques discussed in the following chapter.

At the end of most of the chapters are exercises. The answers to these exercises can be found in Appendix E and on the CD.

Summary

The purpose of this book is to provide you with a guide and reference manual to develop an Oracle database by using the Developer 2000 Tool Set. The book is divided into parts that follow the steps in the development of the application. At the end of each part, you can develop several of the components of the Employee Database project.

The examples in this book require the use of an Oracle database. Appendix D contains instructions for installing this database. The database can be installed on your PC by using a copy of Oracle's Personnel Oracle7. The database may also be installed on your university or company's server. The same instructions and programs may be used regardless of where the database is installed.

Oracle has an excellent Web site. The address is www.oracle.com. From this address, you can navigate to other pages. At the time of this writing, Oracle has an excellent trial product program. You may download products for evaluation free of charge. You may also get a CD of the products for a nominal price.

In addition to the Oracle Web site, there are many local Oracle user groups that can be used for product information or answering questions. Many of these groups have pages on the Web that can be used to contact them.

A group that I belong to is the Oracle Developer Tools User Group. This is an organization that has strong ties to The Oracle Tool Development group. They offer members Beta copies of software. They also provide several excellent seminars. The Web site for this organization is www.odtug.com/index/shtm.

Like all software and hardware vendors, Oracle is constantly developing and releasing new products. It is a real challenge to write a book for the latest product. Generally, the new releases look similar to the old releases. They do have a few new wrinkles. Throughout this book, I will try to offer some information about future releases of Oracle8 and Developer 2000 2.0. This information is based on available periodicals and other sources.l

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