Relational database management systems (RDBMSs) are becoming the standard for proper information processing. This book covers the cooperative development environment (CDE) of the Oracle7 RDBMS. The main emphasis of the book is on the development of applications built around previously designed databases. The book presumes that the reader is somewhat familiar with relational database design theory. It improves an information system professional’s applications development skills in Oracle and its many tools. The basic approach is to cover each tool of CDE as a separate chapter.

Chapters 1 and 2 provide a basic introduction to fundamental concepts of database design and application development, along with an overview of features (tools) of CDE.

Chapters 3 through 6 outline the tools of CDE. Chapter 3 discusses the foundation tools of Oracle, such as SQL, SQL*Plus, and PL/SQL. Chapter 4 discusses the construction of data entry and retrieval forms and menus using the Oracle Forms tool. Chapter 5 focuses on the development of reports using the Oracle Report tool. The CDE interface for both Oracle Forms and Oracle Report is also discussed. Chapter 6 details the powerful multimedia capabilities of the Oracle Graphics tool. It discusses the tool’s charting and drawing capabilities; multimedia features; data access and file support; and programmatic and procedural controls.

Oracle’s documentation tool, Oracle Book, is discussed in chapter 7. Kline describes Oracle Book’s capability to create and view sophisticated online hypertext and multimedia documents.

Finally, chapter 8 presents several powerful Oracle tools designed to assist in the development, maintenance, or functionality of an application. Topics include loading non-Oracle data with SQL*Loader, keyboard remapping through Oracle*Terminal, and SQL*Net, Oracle’s network connectivity tool.

The book is a reference and user manual. It is not a textbook. There are no exercises. The book does provide useful hints on each topic. The coverage of each topic is good. The writing is clear and straightforward. Useful examples explain the workings of tools and concepts.

The book overall is more suitable as a reference companion on Oracle7 and CDE. It can reduce the drudgery of scanning the manuals. It can also be utilized in database classes to demonstrate the working of CDE.