Glossary

4GL: Fourth generation language. A high-level language, such as SQL, with English-like commands. Such languages are easier to use, presumably, than third-generation languages such as C. abstract datatype: See User-defined datatype. alias: A nickname or alternative name for a Table or Column used in SQL. API: See Application Program Interface. applet: Small Java program or application. Application Program Interface: A standard language used by a program to communicate with other programs providing services to the original program. attribute: A feature or characteristic. For example, the datatype and size of a Column are two Column attributes. backup: A copy of all or some part of the database. There are several different methods of creating a backup including operating system file backups, database Exports, and Backup Manager. Binary Large Object: A large nontext file, such as for a color graphic or sound. BLOB: See Binary Large Object. block: A unit of storage for data and other information in the database. Boolean operator: Used in queries to link other sets of operators together (examples: AND, OR). The following SQL example uses Boolean operators: select name from artist
where school = ABSTRACT AND medium = WATERCOLOR.

browser: A client for a Web server; a program that enables a User to view Web documents.

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Glossary

buffer cache: A segment of the SGA that maintains copies of all data blocks read from datafiles by User processes requesting data. built-in datatype: Datatype used in relational Tables. VARCHAR2 and LONG are builtin datatypes. See also User-defined datatype. Cartesian join: An unconditional join between two Tables resulting in a match between every row in one Table and every row in another Table. Cartridge: Prebuilt application that plugs into your Oracle8 database and provides additional functionality for incorporation into your own applications. chain: A block of database data that contains overflow information from another data block. class: In Object-oriented systems, a method of grouping similar Objects together. A class of Objects has similar attributes, such as color, shape, or mathematical functions. client: The client portion of the Oracle8 package includes utilities, assistant programs, and tools which can be run remotely using a network. The client portions usually include a graphical user interface (GUI) that makes them easier to use. client-server: A network system featuring a server computer that provides digital services to other computers on the network (clients). Client-server software consists of a network server program that provides specific digital services to other programs (clients) on the network. cluster: A Schema Object that contains a group of Tables which share one or more common Columns (cluster Key), which are stored on the same data block. cold backup: A backup taken while the database is shut down. Column: A component of a database Table. A Column contains the definition of what kinds of data are to be collected and stored in the rows of the Table. comma-delimited file: A format for extracting data out of a database and placing it into a plain text file. Each line in the file contains one row and each Column is separated from the following Column by a comma. commit: To permanently save all changes since the last commit was executed to the database. Constraint: A rule applied to a Table or a Column that restricts the data allowed in any row in the Table. For example, a Primary Key Constraint defines the Primary Key for a Table. All rows must have unique values in the Columns included in the Primary Key Constraint.

Glossary

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constructor method: A default system-generated method for each Object type that helps create an instance of that Object type. Control File: A binary file used by Oracle8 to store its configuration parameters. correlated subquery: A subquery with references to the outer query. database (adj.): Pertaining to database technology. Database is used as an adjective in this book. Otherwise, any other generic usage is avoided to minimize confusion about database technology. database application: An application involving data designed to run with a database engine. database development tools: Programs that create database application. database engine: The set of programs that controls all access to the database. Some of the engine tasks are: keeping track of all the data and metadata; handling User sessions; checking security; and controlling locking and data sharing. datatype: Defines the type of information that can be stored, such as dates, numbers, or characters. DBA: The database administrator. derived data: Data that can be calculated, summarized, or otherwise extracted entirely from other data in the database. dirty list: A buffer modified by a User process but not written to the physical disk. entity: A Table or group of Tables. Used interchangeably with Table in this book. Entity Relationship Diagram: A style of drawing a relational database model that uses boxes, text, lines, and a few simple symbols to represent the entities and relationships in the model. explicit data conversion: The User controls conversion of a Column or expression from one datatype into another, thereby controlling the data conversion in a predictable manner. See also implicit data conversion. Export (n.): Oracle7 utility to pull data out of the database into a file. The file is in a special format for use only with the Oracle7 Import utility. Also used to refer to the act of using the Export utility. export (v.): Retrieve information from a database into a file to use in another application such as a spreadsheet, another database engine, or a word processor (mail merge).

1092

Glossary

expression: A Column or a literal with a function applied to it, such as addition. In SQL queries, expressions can be used almost anywhere a Column can be used. extent: A secondary allocation of space for a Tablespace, Table, or physical datafile. field: See Column. Foreign Key: A Column or a group of Columns in one Table that refers to the Primary Key of another Table. form: Fill-in-the-blank screen for gathering information in an organized way. Created with HTML. Information can then be used in e-mail or a database application. fragmented Table: A Table that contains wasted space in the form of empty blocks and chained blocks. front end: The portion of a computer program designed to interact with a human being. GRANT: SQL command for adding security privileges on a Table, view, or Synonym. GUI: A graphical user interface for a program which uses icons, screen buttons, and a mouse. hierarchy: A relationship of Tables in which a parent Table has a child Table and that child Table has its own child Table and so forth. hot backup: A backup taken while the database is open and in use. HTML: See HyperText Markup Language. hybrid: As used in this book, it means a hybrid Object-oriented relational database engine or application. HyperText Markup Language: The primary language used to create Web pages. HTML consists of normal text and special codes, called tags, that tell a Web browser how to display the text. Tags determine the size of the font, color of the background, and other formatting details. identity: In Object-oriented systems, a complex formula that can be attached to a class or subclass of Objects. implicit data conversion: Oracle7 converts a Column or expression from one datatype into another using its own internal logic. This is unpredictable and subject to change with new releases. See also explicit data conversion.

Glossary

1093

Import (n.): Oracle7 utility to bring data into the database from a file. The file must be in a special format created by using the Export utility. Also refers to the act of using the Import utility. import (v.): Add information into a database from an external source such as a file or nondatabase application. incremental space: In a Table definition, this specifies the amount of space reserved if the Table runs out of room and needs more space. This specification is repeated again if the Table needs more space until the Table hits the maximum space limitation. Index: A sorted map of selected Columns in a Table or Object. Speeds searching on the selected Columns. initial space: In a Table definition, this sets the starting size of the Table. input: Any information entered by a User into the computer, such as a persons name typed into a database row and Column. INSERT: A command to add a new row into a Table. instance: A single complete Oracle database. Each instance has its own name, number, and initialization parameters. Multiple instances can run on one computer. intelligent key: An intelligent key is a Primary Key that has meaning for the row of data. interactive: Any process where the computer asks for information from the User and then acts on it. Internet: A global, public network of computers linked together with telephone lines and network software. See also World Wide Web. intranet: A network of computers connected via phone or cable lines inside one organization for internal use only. Java: A high-level language especially adapted for use on the Web. Java Database Connectivity: A protocol for connecting Java programs to ODBC databases. JDBC: See Java Database Connectivity. join: A type of query in which two or more Tables are connected (or joined) together. key: A Column or set of Columns in a Table that identifies a unique row of data. See also Primary Key and Foreign Key.

1094

Glossary

LAN: See Local Area Network. legacy system: A set of Tables (Schema) brought into your Oracle7 system from an older source, such as Oracle6 or another database system. literal: A word, phrase, number, or letter used at its face value (exactly as it is written) in a query or in a SQL*Plus command. A literal is always surrounded by single quotes. Local Area Network: A network connecting computers, printers, and other equipment together. The connections do not use telephone lines and are usually restricted to equipment located in a single building, such as an office building. local database: A database that resides on the computer in which the User is logged. logical operator: A connection between two Columns or expressions in a WHERE clause. Examples: = (equal), <> (not equal), like, between, < (less than), > (greater than). master site: In database replication, the site that is the primary source of new data for a Table. See also snapshot site. method: Programmed behavior for manipulating an Object. A function or Procedure attached to an Object type. native driver: A Dynamic Link Library (DLL) that provides an interface between an application and a specific database runtime library for the database server. See also ODBC driver. nested Table: A Table contained within a single Object Column. See also VARRAY. Net8: Formally known as SQL*Net. It is a software layer that exists between Oracle8 clients and servers that uses the Transparent Network Substrate (TNS) to establish and maintain connections and, most importantly, allows the exchange of data messages between them. nonintelligent key: A unique key that does not change, even when information in the row changes. A sequential ID number is an example of a nonintelligent key. Object: Any of several kinds of elements in a database, such as Indexes, Tables, Packages, views, and Synonyms. Object Identifier: An Indexed Column that you use when referencing Objects with one another using the REF parameter. Object-oriented: A system of logic in which everything is defined as groups of Objects, or behavior matrices, that interact with one another in predictable ways.

Glossary

1095

Object-Oriented Database Management System: A form of database consisting of Objects classified into categories and subcategories to define special traits. Commonly used for scientific applications to predict how two Objects interact, such as in a chemical compound or a mechanical device. Object-relational database: A database that combines features of a relational database with features of an Object-oriented database. Oracle8 is an Objectrelational database. As an Object-relational database, Oracle8 supports all the familiar relational database concepts of Tables, Columns, rows, and relationships. It also supports a subset of the Object-oriented features of types, methods, and attributes. Object Table: A database construction made up of User-defined datatypes and built-in datatypes that stores data. Object type: Similar to datatype, an Object type defines the structure of data in an Object. Object view: Object-oriented view. Use Object Views to abstract data from Relational or Object Tables. ODBC: See Open Database Connectivity. ODBC driver: Cross-platform programming interface that provides a language to access database applications on a network. See also ODBC. off line: State of a Tablespace or datafile. Off line Tablespaces and datafiles are inaccessible to database operations. OID: See Object identifier. on line: State of a Tablespace or datafile. On line Tablespaces and datafiles are available for use by database operations. OODBMS: See Object-Oriented Database Management System. Open Database Connectivity: A set of standards that defines communication methods to be used when sending and receiving data and commands to and from a database. operator: <,<=,>,>=. Used in queries to evaluate Columns. < (less than), <= (less than or equal to), > (greater than), >= (greater than or equal to), <> (not equal to). Optimizer: Oracle8 uses its Optimizer to evaluate every command that is run in the database. The Optimizer has rules that determine the most efficient path to the data. The optimizer reviews the WHERE clause of a command and determines how to utilize Indexes, Table scans, partial Indexes, and so forth. From this information, the Optimizer comes up with a plan.

1096

Glossary

Oracle Names Server: A directory service that provides name-to-address resolution for each Net8 service on the Oracle8 network. overhead: Information about Tables, Columns, rows, Indexes, and other structures in the database. outer join: A Table join that allows mismatches between the joined Column. One of the Tables is chosen as the primary Table. Any row in this Table without matches in the other Table stays in the results set of the join. owner: The User who creates a Table. Package: A database program consisting of one or more procedures. A Package executes when called using SQL or a programming language interface. physical datafile: Oracle8 allocates storage space using physical datafiles. Assign physical datafiles to the database for use. You can also design a file to grow in predetermined increments to avoid running out of database space. plan: Access path that the Oracle8 Optimizer determines is the most cost-effective method to execute a command. precompiler: A compiler program that allows C/C++, COBOL, and Fortran visual or nonvisual applications to be developed with embedded SQL statements to access the database. Primary Key: A Column or set of Columns in one Table that uniquely identifies each row in the Table. Every row in a Table has a value in the Primary Key different from that of every other row in that Table. Private Synonym: A Synonym that can only be used by the Synonym creator unless the creator grants privileges to others. Procedure: A database program that contains PL/SQL commands. A Procedure can be contained within a Package or can stand alone. A Procedure executes when called using SQL or a programming language interface. project: In Personal Oracle7 Navigator, a collection of Tables, views, Users, or other items grouped together. Projects can be exported and imported. pseudocolumn: A Column defined by Oracle7 that you can use in a query. For example, USER is a pseudocolumn that always contains the Oracle7 User ID of the current User. Public Synonym: A synonym created by a database administrator (DBA) that can be used by anyone. query: A question posed in SQL to look at data in the database.

Glossary

1097

record: See row. recover: The process of making the recovered database file current to a specific time. See also restore. redo log buffer: A circular buffer in the SGA, enabling new COMMIT entries to overwrite existing COMMIT entries written to the redo log file by the LGWR process. relational database: A collection of Tables connected together in a series of relationships to model some small part of the real world. remote database: A database that does not reside on the computer in which the User is logged. reorganize: To rebuild the internal physical structure of a Table by dropping and recreating it. Data must be removed and restored using Export and Import. restore: Replacing a certain database file, such as a datafile, with a copy from backup. This usually occurs if the database file is corrupted and thus needs to be replaced with one from backup. See also recover. REVOKE: A SQL command for removing security privileges. Role: A set of privileges that can be assigned to or removed from a User. ROLLBACK: A command that removes all changes since the last commit was done. row ID: A pseudocolumn that contains the exact physical address of a row. Retrieving a Table row using its row ID is the fastest method available. row: A component of a database Table. It contains the actual data compartmentalized in Columns. Schema: A set of Tables, views, and other Objects all created by one User is collectively called a Schema. A Schema is not given a name it inherits the name of its creator. If the Users Oracle name is AMY, then the schemas name is AMY. script: A file that contains more than a single SQL or SQL*Plus command. server: The server portion of the Oracle8 package includes the core database itself (the background processes that keep the entire database functioning) and some rudimentary tools to allow basic processes, such as starting and stopping the database. SGA: System Global Area. An area of memory used by Oracle8 database to store information shared by Users. It contains buffers and redo logos.

1098

Glossary

snapshot site: In database replication, a site that receives identical updates to keep it synchronized with the master site. See also master site. SQL: See Structured Query Language. Structured Query Language: Programming language developed to manipulate relational database Objects. Synonym: An alternate name for a Table or view. Synonyms can be private (for use only by its creator) or public (for use by any User). Table: A set of related Columns and rows in a relational database. Tablespace: A Tablespace is a logical allocation of space within the database. A Tablespace can span more than one datafile. Only Objects assigned to the Tablespace can use the available space in a datafile. A Tablespace has characteristics that define how it allocates space to Objects, such as the percentage of free space that you reserve for updates. You can also design a Tablespace to grow in predetermined increments to avoid causing a database Object to run out of space. The space used by a Tablespace cannot go beyond the physical datafile space you assign to the Tablespace. third normal form: A set of rules specifying how Tables and Columns in a relational database relate to one another. tree diagram: See Entity Relationship Diagram. Trigger: A stored superprogam excuted when a specific operation, such as inserting a row, occurs on a specific Table. type: See Object type. User: A unique log in name in Oracle7. All Users have a password. A Users capabilities inside the database are determined by the Users role assignments. User-defined datatype: Datatypes defined by the User as combinations of built-in datatypes and other User-defined datatypes. They are used as building blocks for Objects. See also built-in datatype. User ID: See User. variable: A placeholder in an equation, an HTML command, or a computer program replaced by some value when the equation is solved or the command or program is run. VARRAY: A repeating set of Columns contained within one Object Column. See also nested Table.

Glossary

1099

view: A query that is named in the database so that it can be used as if it were a Table. Views can be used anywhere Tables can be used, except for some restrictions on adding, removing, or changing rows from views that join Tables. WAN: See Wide Area Network. Web: See World Wide Web. Web-database development tools: An application that provides a programming or design environment to produce applications that access a database and deliver Web pages to a Web server. Web page: A screen of data, graphics, music, and so forth that appears on the World Wide Web (Internet) or on an intranet. This is a general term referring to any document on the Web. It may be an order entry form, a database report, a video, a text document, or any number of other possibilities. The length of one page is totally flexible and the document contains HTML tags. Web server: Computer program that delivers Web pages, applets, graphics, and other documents to a Web browser (client). Wide Area Network: A network connecting computers, printers, and other equipment together. The connections use telephone lines. A WAN does not have restrictions on where the equipment is located. A WAN can reach around the world or just next door. wizard: A software tool that executes one specialized task. For example, a wizard in Oracles Powerbrowser prompts you for your name and other data and creates an HTML document as your home page using the information you provide. World Wide Web: A text-based, hyperlinked, multimedia publishing system enabled by Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP): an Internet protocol. WWW: See World Wide Web. WYSIWYG: Acronym for What You See Is What You Get. Used to describe editors and other tools that display information in output format.