For Oracle, as for Sun, IBM, Microsoft and others, the Internet is not something distinct and separate but a means of building computing processes to provide seamless distributed computing with connectivity between single systems, LANs, WANs and intranets of all conceivable sizes and irrespective of location. Where Microsoft is layering functionality in component form on its operating system, Oracle is offering a technology that still calls itself database but which is becoming part operating system and draws on the connectivity provided by Internet protocols and developing standards. Central to the strategy is the database manager. The latest release, Oracle 8, is a considerable advance on its predecessors. It has now become object-relational while maintaining compatibility with version 7.
Migration is through a specialised utility.
The concept of networked computing, set out as Oracle's NCA, is fully supported with both the ability to use thin clients and to scale considerably, including over distributed networks, being available. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of ZDNetUK is prohibited. ZDNetUK and the ZDNetUK logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company.