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Oracle: An Introduction
Application Developers (including SQL/SQLPlus, PL/SQL, Web Apps, Forms)
Database Administrators | Oracle Financials / Application Administration
Query Tools | Oracle Certification Exam Guides

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Application Developer Subsections
PL/SQL & SQL | Oracle Forms | Web Applications (including ColdFusion)

Application Developers: PL/SQL & SQL

Murach's Oracle SQL and PL/SQL
By: Joel Murach
In chapter 1, you'll quickly master the database concepts you have to know to handle Oracle databases effectively. Then, chapter 2 gets you started using Oracle SQL Developer. This graphical tool makes it far easier to work with an Oracle database than it is with command-line tools like SQL*Plus, so you can be more productive right from the start.

Master the SQL that you'll use every day: Section 2 starts you off writing SQL statements that retrieve and update the data in an Oracle database. But it doesn't stop with simple SQL statements. Instead, it also teaches you how to work with complex inner and outer joins, summary queries, subqueries, data types, and functions…all features that allow you to retrieve and update data more efficiently.

Design databases like a DBA: This isn't a DBA book. But you may be called upon to create test tables for your applications. And to write efficient queries, you need to understand how database design decisions affect security and performance. So section 3 shows you how to design an Oracle database. Then, it shows you how to code SQL DDL (Data Definition Language) statements to implement the design, to create views, and to manage security. Along the way, you'll gain insight into the issues DBAs deal with every day...a plus if you decide you want to move in that career direction.

Master PL/SQL: PL/SQL is Oracle's procedure language that allows you to code loops, if-else structures, and error-handling structures to build more complex scripts. That, in turn, allows you to manage transactions that maintain data integrity in a database. And it allows you to create stored procedures, functions, and triggers…named blocks of PL/SQL code that are stored in the database for ready access.

Handle special-purpose data: In today's increasingly global and digital world, you may need to handle time zones from around the world, and you may need to handle large amounts of text and binary data such as graphics, sound, and video. So section 5 shows you how to use Oracle's data types to make these tasks easier.

<MAP NAME="boxmap-p8"><AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="14, 200, 103, 207" HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" ><AREA COORDS="0,0,10000,10000" HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/krislynsstrictly" ></MAP><img src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/rcm/120x240.gif" width="120" height="240" border="0" usemap="#boxmap-p8" alt="Shop at Amazon.com"> Oracle SQL by Example, Third Edition
By: Alice Rischert
Crafted for hands-on learning -- and fully updated for Oracle 10g -- and tested in classrooms worldwide this book illuminates in-depth every Oracle SQL technique you'll need. From the simplest query fundamentals through the newest regular expression database enhancements, you will focus on the tasks that matter most. Hundreds of guided lab exercises will systematically strengthen your expertise in writing effective, high-performance SQL. Along the way, you will acquire an arsenal of useful Oracle SQL knowledge and techniques: an extraordinary library of solutions for your real-world challenges with Oracle SQL.

Creating and using tables, views, indexes, and sequences
Working in SQL*Plus and iSQL*Plus environments
Oracle functions in depth -— especially number, character, date, timestamp, interval, time zone, aggregate, and analytical functions
All types of joins, including equijoins, outer joins, self joins and ANSI join syntax options
Every type of subquery, including correlated and scalar subqueries, set operators, hierarchical queries, flashback queries, data dictionary, object-relational features, regular expressions, and more
Common pitfalls to avoid, and solutions for common mistakes
Practical performance, security, and architectural solutions
Insights, tips, and tricks-of-the-trade from an experienced Oracle professional
For every database developer, administrator, designer or architect, regardless of experience

<MAP NAME="boxmap-p8"><AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="14, 200, 103, 207" HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" ><AREA COORDS="0,0,10000,10000" HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/krislynsstrictly" ></MAP><img src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/rcm/120x240.gif" width="120" height="240" border="0" usemap="#boxmap-p8" alt="Shop at Amazon.com"> Oracle PL/SQL Programming, Third Edition
By: Steven Feuerstein
Has been an indispensable reference for both novice and experienced PL/SQL developers since its first edition. Now in its third edition, the book has been thoroughly revised and updated to include the latest Oracle releases -- Oracle8i and Oracle9i -- the "Internet databases" that communicate with other technologies, such as Java, to run powerful e-commerce applications. Oracle has made substantial changes to the PL/SQL language, and developers who want to take full advantage of its power will find the information they need in this book. Authored by renowned PL/SQL experts Steven Feuerstein and Bill Pribyl, the new edition of the book includes all PL/SQL language features up to and including Oracle 9i Release 2 (9.2). Regardless of the version you are using, from Oracle 7.3.4 to Oracle 9i, this book will answer your questions. In addition, Oracle PL/SQL Programming now contains much-requested new chapters on Oracle triggers, the internal architecture of PL/SQL in the Oracle database, and the use of PL/SQL with Java. The authors have carefully constructed each chapter of this new edition with three objectives: to help you take full advantage of PL/SQL, learn to use PL/SQL to solve your problems, and to write efficient, maintainable code.