by Oracle database (Oracle DB) is a relational database management system (RDBMS) from the Oracle Corporation. Originally developed in 1977 by Lawrence Ellison and other developers, Oracle DB is one of the most trusted and widely-used relational database engines.
The system is built around a relational database framework in which data objects may be directly accessed by users (or an application front end) through structured query language (SQL). Oracle is a fully scalable relational database architecture and is often used by global enterprises, which manage and process data across wide and local area networks. The Oracle database has its own network component to allow communications across networks.
Oracle DB rivals Microsoft’s SQL Server in the enterprise database market. There are other database offerings, but most of these command a tiny market share compared to Oracle DB and SQL Server. Fortunately, the structures of Oracle DB and SQL Server are quite similar, which is a benefit when learning database administration.
Oracle DB runs on most major platforms, including Windows, UNIX, Linux and Mac OS. Different software versions are available, based on requirements and budget. Oracle DB editions are hierarchically broken down as follows:
- Enterprise Edition: Offers all features, including superior performance and security, and is the most robust
- Standard Edition: Contains base functionality for users that do not require Enterprise Edition’s robust package
- Express Edition (XE): The lightweight, free and limited Windows and Linux edition
- Oracle Lite: For mobile devices
A key feature of Oracle is that its architecture is split between the logical and the physical. This structure means that for large-scale distributed computing, also known as grid computing, the data location is irrelevant and transparent to the user, allowing for a more modular physical structure that can be added to and altered without affecting the activity of the database, its data or users. The sharing of resources in this way allows for very flexible data networks whose capacity can be adjusted up or down to suit demand, without degradation of service. It also allows for a robust system to be devised as there is no single point at which a failure can bring down the database, as the networked schema of the storage resources means that any failure would be local only.
