Preface

This manual describes implementation issues for an Oracle8i distributed database system. It also introduces the tools and utilities available to assist you in implementing and maintaining your distributed system.

Oracle8i Distributed Database Systems contains information that describes the features and functionality of the Oracle8i and the Oracle8i Enterprise Edition products. Oracle8i and Oracle8i Enterprise Edition have the same basic features. However, several advanced features are available only with the Enterprise Edition, and some of these are optional.

For information about the differences between Oracle8i and the Oracle8i Enterprise Edition and the features and options that are available to you, see Getting to Know Oracle8i.

How Oracle8i Distributed Database Systems is Organized

This book consists of two parts:

Part I: Distributed Database Systems

Chapter 1, "Distributed Database Concepts"

This chapter describes the basic concepts and terminology of Oracle's distributed database architecture. It is recommended reading for anyone planning to implement or maintain a distributed database system.

Chapter 2, "Distributed Database Administration"

This chapter discusses issues of concern to the database administrator (DBA) implementing or maintaining distributed databases.

Chapter 3, "Distributed Transactions"

This chapter describes how Oracle maintains the integrity of distributed transactions using the two-phase commit mechanism.

Chapter 4, "Distributed Database System Application Development"

This chapter describes the special considerations that are necessary if you are designing an application to run in a distributed system.

Part II: Heterogeneous Distributed Database Systems

Chapter 5, "Understanding Oracle Heterogeneous Services"

This chapter provides an overview of Oracle Heterogeneous Services.

Chapter 6, "Administering Oracle Heterogeneous Services"

This chapter explains how to implement and maintain Heterogeneous Services.

Chapter 7, "Application Development with Heterogeneous Services"

This chapter provides the information you will need to develop applications that use Oracle Heterogeneous Services.

Appendix A, "Heterogeneous Services Initialization Parameters"

This appendix lists all Heterogeneous Services-specific initialization parameters and their values.

Appendix B, "DBMS_HS Package Reference"

This appendix provides all the interface information for the DBMS_HS package. The DBMS_HS package is used to administer the heterogeneous services.

Appendix C, "DBMS_HS_PASSTHROUGH for Pass-Through SQL"

This appendix provides all the interface information for the DBMS_HS_PASSTHROUGH package for pass-through SQL.

Appendix D, "DBMS_DISTRIBUTED_TRUST_ADMIN Package Reference"

This appendix describes the procedures and functions in the package DBMS_DISTRIBUTED_TRUST_ADMIN for administering the Trusted Servers List.

Conventions Used in This Guide

The following conventions are used in code fragments in this guide:

UPPERCASE	Uppercase text identifies text that must be entered exactly as shown. For example: SQLPLUS username/password INTO TABLENAME `table`
lowercase italics	Lowercase italics text is used for emphasis and to indicate glossary terms. It also identifies a variable for which you should substitute an appropriate value. Parentheses should be entered as shown. For example: VARCHAR (length)
Vertical bars \|	Vertical bars indicate alternate choices. For example: ASC \| DESC
Braces { }	Required items are enclosed in curly braces, meaning you must choose one of the alternatives. For example: {column_name \| array_def}
Square brackets [ ]	Optional items are enclosed in square brackets. For example: DECIMAL (digits [ , precision ])
<operator>	SQL operators are indicated by <operator>. For example: WHERE x <operator> x
Ellipses ...	Repeated items are indicated by enclosure in square brackets and ellipses. For example: WHERE column_1 <operator> x AND column_2 <operator> y [AND ...]

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