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| Preface |

## Audience

This book was designed to be used by anyone who needs to develop Oracle-based applications using the PL/SQL programming language. There are a number of distinct audiences:

Role | How to Use the Book
--- | ---
Information systems manager | The application development or database administration manager in an Oracle shop needs a thorough grasp of the technology used in the development groups. Familiarity with the technology will help the manager to better understand the challenges faced by the team members and the ability of that team to solve problems. These managers will want to pay particular attention to Part 4, for the big picture of structuring PL/SQL-based applications.
One-person information systems shop | Oracle licenses are frequently sold into small companies or departments where the supporting information systems organization consists of little more than a single manager and single developer (or perhaps both of those functions rolled into one). These small organizations do not have the time to search through multiple manuals or sets of training notes to find the solution to their problems. This book offers one-stop shopping for these people -- a consolidated reference and solutions source.
Database administrator | The DBA in the world of Oracle7 needs to build database triggers and stored procedures in order to manage business rules at the RDBMS levels and implement distributed databases. The DBA will use this book to strengthen his or her understanding of how to write efficient RDBMS-level objects. This book will also discuss constructing packages of related objects which will reduce the resources required to maintain these objects.
New developer in the Oracle Developer/2000 environment | Many developers arrive fresh on the Oracle scene through the use of the new Oracle Developer/2000 tools in the Windows environment. These developers will be comfortable manipulating the various widgets in the GUI world, but will find PL/SQL to be a strange, new partner for development. This book will quickly bring them up to speed and make them more productive users of Oracle Developer/2000 software.
Experienced Oracle developer | Many thousands of programmers have spent years writing, debugging, and maintaining programs written in SQL*Forms, SQL*Reportwriter, SQL*Plus, and SQL*Menu. While their PL/SQL skills have progressed to meet the needs of specific applications, most could expand both their PL/SQL knowledge and their awareness of its subtleties. In addition, as developers move into the Oracle Developer/2000 generation, PL/SQL plays a significantly more central role; the developer will have to gain new expertise to meet the demands of this change.
Consultant | Consultants must offer a high level of service and quality to their customers. This added value is measured in productivity and in the application of skills not currently held by the client. Consultants should find this book an invaluable aid in deepening their understanding of PL/SQL technology.

Structure of This Book |  | Conventions Used in This Book

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