April - 1999 - issue > Cover

Oracle recently launched its Oracle8i, a total application deployment and development platform, touted as the world’s first Internet database. In doing so, Oracle launched some major breakthroughs integrated right into the database, easing the job of developers of Internet-based applications. This release enhances Oracle’s existing market advantage as the most popular database software, used by 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies and government organizations worldwide. Current customers can quickly convert applications using Oracle8i to deliver easy browser access to vital business intelligence.”Many of our clients use Oracle as their database of choice,” said Jonathan Gennick, manager, KPMG Consulting. “Oracle8i offers a compelling architecture that can be used to deploy Internet-based applications against these existing databases. Our vision is one of standards-based, thin client applications that can be run by anyone from anywhere. By placing Java in all three tiers of the application architecture, Oracle has demonstrated a strong commitment to this vision of the future, a commitment that we can build on to serve our clients.”
“Oracle8i transforms the role of the DBMS from back-end data server for applications to a full-function Internet-based information management platform that increases access to existing systems, integrates them with new and external systems using standard languages and interfaces, and is easy to use and deploy,” said Carl Olofson, research director, International Data Corporation.

Java Integration
Oracle8i encompasses the most complete Internet development environment as well as the most inexpensive deployment platform for Internet and enterprise applications. With its release, Oracle8i is the computer industry’s first database to integrate Java programs, Web sites and Internet content and makes it possible to convert all the data stored in an information system into Internet content.
“Oracle8i will facilitate our progression towards an environment for Internet computing, reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for our customers,” said Chris Smith, CTO, Indus International, Inc. “As a leading applications vendor, component-based development with Oracle8i will help to reduce Indus International’s overall development time and costs.”
“Oracle8i is better because it was designed specifically for the Internet. . .It doesn’t talk to the operating system - it’s completely self-contained. It’s not just a database anymore,’’ said Oracle Chairman and CEO Larry Ellison. Applications written as Java components execute on the first-ever database-resident Java Virtual Machine (Java VM) integrated with Oracle8i. Java VM allows developers to safely write, store and execute Java code within the database, as well as create stored procedures, database functions and event triggers in Java. Oracle8i also unveils SQLJ, a programming syntax developed as an open standard by Oracle, IBM and Sun, that provides a simple interface between Java and relational databases. “We are very excited that Oracle8i created a Java-based mobile platform for enterprise level application development,” said BPA President Michael Palmer. “Whereas previous Java runtime environments were limited to tens of users, Oracle8i now delivers an enterprise-level Java environment that can scale to thousands of users.” Internet content can be stored and managed using an Internet file system which comes integrated with the Oracle8i database. It supports all common file formats and allows file system information to be combined with database information, multimedia content and complex text. With Oracle8i’s iFS (Internet File System), a Windows file in any format can be dragged and dropped easily into iFS and integrated into the database.

Web Development
Oracle8i also delivers Internet content. Stored information can be accessed from the database in many forms, including as HTML pages, XML documents, or even actively pushed by the database to a variety of clients. An additional built-in tool, Oracle WebDB is a complete Web development environment that easily assists software developers in quickly building dynamic, data-driven Web sites with a standard Web browser and the Oracle8i database.
“We are enthusiastic about the opportunities Oracle8i provides for CSC and its clients,” said Bhavdeep Chhabra, Principal, CSC National Oracle Practice. “We see Oracle8i’s Internet capability as fundamentally shifting the way we deliver application value to our clients. It provides an advanced platform for delivering CSC’s e!Wave(tm) solution offerings while leveraging Oracle’s traditional strength in data reliability, scalability and performance.” Another unique feature is the native support Oracle8i provides for a number of standard Internet protocols such as HTTP, IIOP, IMAP4, SMTP, POP-3, and FTP, making it easy for applications and content to be accessed from many types of Internet clients. “Oracle8i sets a new standard for high availability and distributed computing in the database arena. Its features will significantly reduce downtime providing the kind of 24/7 operational support needed by high-volume network and Internet-enabled environments,” said Fred Meyer, vice president of product development, TIBCO. “E-Commerce and content distributions application should benefit significantly from the combination of Oracle8i and TIBCO technology.”In terms of platform management, Oracle8i provides a three-part management framework: Enterprise Manager to manage Oracle’s Internet platform; a Directory Service to manage Internet users; and a security framework that provides end-to-end security. From a strategic perspective, Oracle Corporation has announced the formation of a new $100 million venture fund to promote innovation by companies developing products and services based on Oracle8i. In order to capitalize on their leading position in Internet foundation technology, Oracle plans to partner with established venture capital firms to promote innovative Internet products and services focused on areas including content management, electronic commerce, business intelligence and other end-to-end Internet solutions.