This is a defining book on the Oracle database for any developer or DBA who works with Oracle-driven database applications. In it you will find deep wisdom on designing, developing and administering these applications, from one of the World's foremost Oracle experts, Tom Kyte. It covers every important feature and function of the database; why it is important, how it works, how you should use it, and what can happen if you do things the wrong way. It is unique in terms of the technical depth and insight that it provides on each topic. This special signature edition provides a CD containing a searchable PDF of the book as well as a sample chapter from the forthcoming 10g Edition. It also contains a personal introduction from Tom and an intriguing foreword from "Dr. DBA", Ken Jacobs. This book will show you how to program correctly with the database and exploit its feature-set effectively. As a result, you will be able to build fast, effective, scalable and secure Oracle applications.