Oracle Data Dictionary Pocket Reference [Paperback]

David C. Kreines (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pocket Reference | Publication Date: May 2003

If you work with Oracle, then you don't need to be told that the data dictionary is large and complex, and grows larger with each new Oracle release. It's one of the basic elements of the Oracle database you interact with regularly, but the sheer number of tables and views makes it difficult to remember which view you need, much less the name of the specific column. Want to make it simpler? The Oracle Data Dictionary Pocket Reference puts all the information you need right at your fingertips. Its handy and compact format lets you locate the table and view you need effortlessly without stopping to interrupt your work

Oracle Data Dictionary Pocket Reference gives DBAs and developers at any level quick and easy access to the data dictionary in Oracle's latest database, Oracle9i. This pocket-sized book provides a complete list of the most commonly used tables and views in the Oracle9i data dictionary, intelligently arranged for quick reference. It also includes column names and descriptions for each of the tables and views, as well as helpful tips, warnings, and usage examples.

O'Reilly's Pocket References have become a favorite among developers and database administrators everywhere. By providing a wealth of important details in a concise, well-organized format, these handy books deliver just what you need to complete the task at hand. When you've reached a sticking point in your work and want to check your facts quickly, the Oracle Data Dictionary Pocket Reference is the book to have close by.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Kreines is the Manager of Database Services for Rhodia, Inc., and author of Oracle SQL: The Essential Reference (O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2000) and coauthor of Oracle in a Nutshell (with Rick Greenwald) (O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2002), Oracle Database Administration: The Essential Reference (with Brian Laskey) (O'Reilly Media, Inc., 1999) and Oracle Scripts (with Brian Lomasky) (O'Reilly Media, Inc., 1998). Dave has worked with Oracle as a developer and database administrator since 1985, on a wide variety of platforms, from PCs to mainframes. He is an Oracle Certified Professional, is certified as a DBA, and has been a frequent contributor to Oracle conferences, user groups, and publications, both in the United States and in Europe. Dave served two terms as president of the International Oracle Users Group -Americas (IOUG-A), and spent ten years on the board of directors.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1st edition (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596005172
• ISBN-13: 978-0596005177
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,514,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Superfluous book, better read ORACLE docs (reference guide), July 3, 2003

By 

Gregor Theis (Meerbusch Deutschland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oracle Data Dictionary Pocket Reference (Paperback)

"ORACLE Data Dictionary Pocket Reference" describes (most of) the ORACLE data dictionary views. This book sorts the DD views according to subjects e.g. "Replication". Normally for each view you will find a sentence about the contents of the view and the columns with datatype and not null constraints (if present). For some views you will see a little longer explanation.

I am a big fan on O'Reilly books and I own at lot (50+) O'Reilly books. From my point of view this book is superfluous and it should not have been printed. This book does not provide any detailed information about the columns of the views. The semantics of the data in the views is not explained at all. There is no information how to join the DD views to get the result you need. At one place the book states that you can join V$PROCESS and V$SESSION to find some more information about a session but it does not say how to join those view (V$SESSION.paddr = V$PROCESS.addr).

This book does not add any information that can not be found in the ORACLE "Reference" manual. It actually provides less information. Most of the information can be extracted from ORACLE itself (DICT table and SQL*PLUS describe on the view). The ORACLE documentation can be read online and is more detailed.

I did not find any big error in this book. The form, printing and index are of the normal O'Reilly high quality. This is worth 3 stars from me. However I will probably not look into this book again.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK for quick reference, May 6, 2003

By 

Arthur D. Castelli Jr. "art25" (Sorrento, fl USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oracle Data Dictionary Pocket Reference (Paperback)

It lists about everything. It gives the table or view name and the column name and type. For the most part, it gives a one sentence description for the table/view. That's the extent of the details.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, May 31, 2008

By 

MtnStitcher (Rocky Mountains) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracle Data Dictionary Pocket Reference (Paperback)

Great book to have handy at work. I never remember all the Dictionary view names. May consider others....