Beginning Oracle Programming :

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but doesn't cover Java programming with Oracle ...
Review: I am a Web Developer (ASP) with an MS SQL background. I got throw into a project that uses an Oracle database for its backend. If not for this book I do not know where I would be. This is the best book I've seen for a newbie to Oracle. BUY THIS BOOK NOW!!!

Rating:
Summary: Best Beginner Book, HANDS DOWN!
Review: I am a Web Developer (ASP) with an MS SQL background. I got throw into a project that uses an Oracle database for its backend. If not for this book I do not know where I would be. This is the best book I've seen for a newbie to Oracle. BUY THIS BOOK NOW!!!

Rating:
Summary: Should be titled "Beginning Oracle 9i Programming"
Review: In the usual Wrox style, this is a well-rounded introductory book on Oracle programming, with detailed, reader-friendly discussions on architecture and many "Try it out" exercises.

That being said, the book concentrates so much on 9i that if you have installed 8i (or perhaps even Personal Oracle 9i) then you might be discouraged by frequent references and exercises for things you won't be able to do. According to Oracle, 9i Enterprise for Win2K requires 512M of RAM (although other sources indicate that it will run in 256M). The OTN download is around 1.5G (approximately 3 CDROMs worth), or you can request the CDs from Oracle at otn.oracle.com.

I would have preferred to see separate sections and exercises that concentrated on 9i-specific details. There are still plenty of features common with previous Oracle releases to support a general-purpose Beginning Oracle book.

Recommended, with the above-mentioned caveat.

Rating:
Summary: Provides in-depth, lucid and systematic treatment of subject
Review: The book epitomises simple yet detailed coverage of the Oracle 9i programming. The best feature of the book is the methodical illustration of even the smallest and trivial concept by sample program which aides in understanding. Nonetheless I found the coverage of arcane topics like index, objects - which sound simple at the periphery but daunt the programmers once dealth in depth - very nice. The two case studies provided illustrates the concept better. However the book doesnt cover data modelling concept which can be discounted as being out of scope.

Rating:
Summary: OK, but Not Fabulous
Review: This book is not as fabulous as it should be. The bits written by Tom Kyte are, as ever, magisterial (and largely lifted from "One on One" - the Oracle nut's bible); the other bits are not. Don't get me wrong, this book is OK, but it fails to teach some basic (and, for the beginner, ultra-important) aspects of Oracle, such as logging-on using "/"; and how Oracle is likely to fit into a business (e.g. DSS, OLTP, etc.). Maybe I'm being picky, but with Tom's name associated with the book, the other authors should have tried harder. I recommend Sam Alapati's DBA book - it's full of typos, but still amazing. It's good for learning Oracle from, too.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for the Oracle Beginner
Review: This book is the most recent addition to the Wrox Programmer to Programmer series. On this title Thomas Kyte has rounded up a few his friends at Oracle, Sean Dillion and Christopher Beck to create a tutorial that transforms a reader with no Oracle knowledge to one with a mastery of the Oracle database.

The authors take a step by step approach to each topic and the result is right on the mark. I found that each topic had a clear and concise objective, was easy to read, and when combined with the many examples reinforced the learning process.

Especially helpful is the DBA vs. Developer part of the introduction which I believe will be very helpful for those new to Oracle.

I would highly recommend Beginning Oracle Programming if you are new to Oracle and you want to quickly gain a mastery of Oracle. I would also suggest you purchase Thomas Kytes' Expert One on One: Oracle as a package, because with just two books on your shelf you will have a complete reference to Oracle Development.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but doesn't cover Java programming with Oracle ...
Review: This books isn't bad on PL/SQL, but if you want to write Java programs with Oracle you'll also need a JDBC book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent stuff for a beginner
Review: This one is great book for anyone who's beginning to learning oracle programming.
I bought this book after the T kyte's expert one-on-one so to me I could brush faster thru (some) pages. I guess i'm a sucker when it comes to wrox books.

But a good starting point for beginners!