Rating: 
Summary: "The Mostly Complete Reference"
Review: All serious 8i DBA's should have this book on his/her desk, but just don't expect to find everything in it. It is like a soup-bowl: wide, but rather shallow. It contains lots of good syntax and a brief description and explanation of Oracle topics and I refer to it often. But I still have to refer to the more narrowly-focused Oracle books to obtain in-depth detail. This is not a substitute for the other Oracle Press books, just a great addition.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for Oracle developers
Review: As a Java developer using Oracle, this book was a must. My knowledge of Oracle was limited, without this book I do not believe we could have written our application.I have several bookmarks which point to key information like how to create users, rebuilding interMedia indexes, etc. But like another reviewer said, the book is thick yet shallow.
It does lack any significant explanation of its content. Regardless, it is still a great reference even for newbies.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for Oracle developers
Review: As a Java developer using Oracle, this book was a must. My knowledge of Oracle was limited, without this book I do not believe we could have written our application. I have several bookmarks which point to key information like how to create users, rebuilding interMedia indexes, etc. But like another reviewer said, the book is thick yet shallow.
It does lack any significant explanation of its content. Regardless, it is still a great reference even for newbies.
Rating: 
Summary: not so bad were it not for the title
Review: I can't tell you how many times I have pulled this book off the shelf to look something up, only to laugh to myself at the title: 'complete' referecnce as I put the book back down without an answer. This book IS a reference, but it is in NO WAY complete.
'Lots of stuff' != 'Complete Reference'
Rating: 
Summary: Extract data from Appendix A (.pdf) is possible
Review: I use this book on a daily basis to check on syntax and feature specifications. It gets pulled off my shelf at least 5 times a day. It is well indexed and contains many small snippets of code that mirror common real-life utilization, along with a very short lesson on normalization. The hardcover binding holds up quite well too given the size of the book and it lays open/flat quite nicely.
Rating:
Summary: Required for any Oracle Library
Review: If you are looking for only one Oracle book to get, get this one. It's got the basics of SQL, SQL*Plus, and PL/SQL, as well as plenty of the background - the whys and wherefores - of the core technologies that are the foundation of any Oracle application. It is not a single comprehensive reference for absolutely every single Oracle-related topic - THAT would be completely impossible . Instead, it thoroughly addresses the core topics that are the foundation of all Oracle products and applications.
Rating:
Summary: Wins MOST POORLY ORGANIZED AWARD
Review: Of all the reference books for computer science subjects that I own, I have yet to find a book more poorly organized. Sure, there MIGHT be a lot of information in there, but if you can't find it, what good is it? It is really a pitiful mess. My advice - Buy almost anything else about Oracle, leave this one to collect dust.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST For Any Developer
Review: Oracle 8i: The Complete Reference should be in your library if you are a developer. It has everything you need to design and maintain your database. It really comes in handy when you need to create SQL statements, write PL/SQL, or just figure out what function you need to use. I am not a DBA (I'm a web developer), but I pull this book out everyday to do what I need to get my data from the database to my application. I couldn't live without it! I highly recommend this book to anyone who works with Oracle.
Rating:
Summary: Best General Oracle Book
Review: This book has much of the same content as its predecessor, Oracle 8: The Complete Reference, but also adds a good chapter on Java (SQLJ, JDBC, stored procedures) and information on other new 8i features. For example, PL/SQL invoker's rights is covered. I have reviewed several general Oracle books and think this is the best for someone who wants a comprehensive review of core Oracle concepts. No single book can cover everything related to Oracle. For information on precompilers, detailed information on Java tools, Developer, Designer, Discoverer, Applications, and other non-core Oracle products, you should reference a book that directly and solely deals with those products. However, for a thorough reference covering SQL, PL/SQL, database administration, and general database architecture and development, this book is wonderful.
Rating: 
Summary: Broad coverage, but lacks depth
Review: This book is a handy reference to a variety of ORACLE 8i topics. But, it doesn't go into any chapter in depth. For instance, if you look into PL/SQL, there is hardly 15 to 20 pages of reference material. Most of the times, I end up searching the web to get the answers (technet, metalink etc). The syntax reference that you can view online at TECHNET.ORACLE.COM, fills up almost 25% of the book. Overall, it is a bulky but shallow reference book.
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