Understanding the Oracle Server

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTICALLY CLEAR PRESENTATION OF ORACLE SERVER
Review: As an NT Consultant with advanced LAN/WAN knowledge and some SQL background , I needed a book that would get me up to speed with Oracle FAST. Marina's book was so easy to follow that I was able to complete it in only a few days. I gained not only a good understanding of hard to understand concepts in Oracle, but also, found its numerous SQL code examples mostly (hence a 9) practical. I feel so much more comfortable with a new contract requiring me to manage 400 new Oracle Installations on NT. I plan to use this book as a constant review before tackling other more advanced books dedicated to specific areas, covered in Marina's book.

Rating:
Summary: Not for Database Professionals
Review: I bought this book to get a thorough grounding in the basics of Oracle architecture and administration. Unfortunately, this book supplies merely a cocktail-partyish knowledge of Oracle. The author mentions the major points, but she goes on to another subject before she tells you anything practical. You might sound like you know what you're talking about, but you won't know what you're doing. This book may serve well as a primer for someone who has no previous experience with a relational database, perhaps on a High School level. I pity the business that relies on someone whose only knowledge of Oracle comes from this book. For just a few extra dollars, you can buy something longer that 170 pages. If you are actually going to use Oracle, you will need it.

Rating:
Summary: RECOMMENDED FOR NEWCOMERS TO ORACLE
Review: Oracle can be quite intimidating to the uninitiated. Anyone undertaking work in this environment for the first time needs a friendly and helpful companion, and Understanding the Oracle Server fits the bill admirably. Studying this book in conjunction with the definitive technical documentation from Oracle Corporation has enabled me to gain a deeper appreciation of Oracle than any other database product I've used in my 25+ years in the computing industry. Although slightly dated now, this book is remarkable in that it still manages to achieve nearly everything it sets out to. Thoroughly recommended.