Oracle, which is trying to break what it perceives as Microsoft's monopoly over computing, wants fewer, larger servers, placing control in the hands of the people who manage the big machines and simplifying the work of the end users, who would be freed from such chores as upgrades. Lawrence Ellison, Oracle's chairman, began speaking about network computing in 1995. In his original concept, there would be computers without disk drives that would largely be used to access networks - including the Internet. So Mr. Ellison was correct in his view that interest in network computing would grow. When people use Internet services through personal computers or other devices, they are essentially allowing the processing to be done by network servers, where Oracle's products are likely to be found.
Databases are programs that contain information that can be searched according to various criteria.
Baan Co. Microsoft is trying to increase its share of the market for database products that run on its Windows operating systems. Databases from Oracle and other competitors can run on Windows, Unix or other operating systems. International Business Machines Corp. followed with 26.8 percent, while Microsoft had 7.4 percent. After Microsoft scheduled its announcements, Oracle responded by returning to Comdex following an absence of several years, and Mr. Ellison arranged to give a speech last Monday night, a day after Bill Gates, the Microsoft chairman, opened the show with a presentation and just hours after Microsoft announced SQL Server 7.0. Mr. Ellison spoke about Raw Iron, Oracle's latest attack on Microsoft's Windows juggernaut.