Preface

Oracle Database Object-Relational Developer's Guide explains how to use the object-relational features of the Oracle Database, 11g release 1 (11.1). Information in this guide applies to versions of the Oracle Database that run on all platforms, and does not include system-specific information.

• Audience

• Documentation Accessibility

• Related Documents

• Conventions

Audience

Oracle Database Object-Relational Developer's Guide is intended for programmers developing new applications or converting existing applications to run in the Oracle environment. The object-relational features are often used in content management, data warehousing, data/information integration, and similar applications that deal with complex structured data. The object views feature can be valuable when writing new C++, C#, Java, or XML applications on top of an existing relational schema.

This guide assumes that you have a working knowledge of application programming and that you are familiar with the use of Structured Query Language (SQL) to access information in relational databases. You should be familiar with the information in Oracle Database SQL Quick Reference, Oracle Database PL/SQL Language Reference, and Oracle Database 2 Day Developer's Guide, and with object-oriented programming techniques.

Documentation Accessibility

Our goal is to make Oracle products, services, and supporting documentation accessible to all users, including users that are disabled. To that end, our documentation includes features that make information available to users of assistive technology. This documentation is available in HTML format, and contains markup to facilitate access by the disabled community. Accessibility standards will continue to evolve over time, and Oracle is actively engaged with other market-leading technology vendors to address technical obstacles so that our documentation can be accessible to all of our customers. For more information, visit the Oracle Accessibility Program Web site at http://www.oracle.com/accessibility/.

Accessibility of Code Examples in Documentation

Screen readers may not always correctly read the code examples in this document. The conventions for writing code require that closing braces should appear on an otherwise empty line; however, some screen readers may not always read a line of text that consists solely of a bracket or brace.

Accessibility of Links to External Web Sites in Documentation

This documentation may contain links to Web sites of other companies or organizations that Oracle does not own or control. Oracle neither evaluates nor makes any representations regarding the accessibility of these Web sites.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Access to Oracle Support Services

To reach Oracle Support Services, use a telecommunications relay service (TRS) to call Oracle Support at 1.800.223.1711. An Oracle Support Services engineer will handle technical issues and provide customer support according to the Oracle service request process. Information about TRS is available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/trs.html, and a list of phone numbers is available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trsphonebk.html.

Related Documents

For more information, see these Oracle resources:

• Oracle Database Concepts for information about basic Oracle concepts

• Oracle Database SQL Language Reference and Oracle Database Administrator's Guide for information about SQL

• Oracle Database PL/SQL Language Reference for information about PL/SQL, the procedural language extension to Oracle SQL

• Oracle Database Advanced Application Developer's Guide for general information about developing applications

• Oracle Database JDBC Developer's Guide and Reference and Oracle Database Java Developer's Guide for information about Oracle object-relational features through Java

• Oracle Call Interface Programmer's Guide and Oracle C++ Call Interface Programmer's Guide for information about using the Oracle Call Interface (OCI) and Oracle C++ Call Interface (OCCI) to build third-generation language (3GL) applications that interact with one or more the Oracle databases

• Pro*C/C++ Programmer's Guide for information about Oracle's Pro* series of precompilers, which allow you to embed SQL and PL/SQL in 3GL application programs written in Ada, C, C++, COBOL, or FORTRAN

• Oracle XML DB Developer's Guide and Oracle XML Developer's Kit Programmer's Guide for information about developing applications with XML

• Oracle Database SecureFiles and Large Objects Developer's Guide for information about Large Objects (LOBs)

• Oracle Data Provider for .NET Developer's Guide

• Oracle Developer Tools for Visual Studio Help

Many of the examples in this book use the sample schemas, which are installed by default when you select the Basic Installation option with an Oracle Database installation. Refer to Oracle Database Sample Schemas for information on how these schemas were created and how you can use them yourself.

Printed documentation is available for sale in the Oracle Store at

http://oraclestore.oracle.com/

To download free release notes, installation documentation, white papers, or other collateral, please visit the Oracle Technology Network (OTN). You must register online before using OTN; registration is free and can be done at

http://www.oracle.com/technology/contact/welcome.html

If you already have a username and password for OTN, then you can go directly to the documentation section of the OTN Web site at

http://www.oracle.com/technology/documentation/index.html

Conventions

The following text conventions are used in this document: