Oracle 9i

Gavin Powell BSc. Comp. Sci., OCP DBA (Oracle Certified Professional) has 15 years of diverse experience in database administration and database development, both relational and object databases. His applications development experience is procedural and object-oriented. Consulting experience includes software vendors, Internet dotcoms, accounting, banking and financial services, the travel industry, construction, retail, mining, shipping, education and in a general advisory capacity. Gavin is the author of five other Oracle titles, including three Oracle certification titles.

Introduction.

Self-Assessment.

1. Getting Started with Oracle Database.

    What Is an RDBMS?

      Basic Relational Data Modeling.

      The Object-Relational Data Model.

    Database Design and Modeling the Oracle Way.

    What Is Oracle SQL?

    Tools.

      SQL*Plus.

      SQL*Plus Worksheet.

      iSQL*Plus.

      Oracle Enterprise Manager.

    Oracle SQL New Features for Oracle9i.

      General.

      SQL Statements.

      Datatypes.

      Expressions.

      Conditions.

      Built-In Functions.

    The MOVIES Schema.

    Syntax Conventions Used in This Book.

    Exam Prep Questions.

2. Retrieving Data (SELECT).

    What Is a Query?

    SELECT Statement Syntax and Query Capabilities.

      Selecting Columns from Tables.

      Using Aliases.

      Selecting from Other Database Objects.

    Types of Queries.

    Some Things We Can Do with SELECT.

      The DUAL Table.

      NULL Values.

      The DISTINCT Clause.

    Exam Prep Questions.

3. Filtering (WHERE) and Sorting Data (ORDER BY).

    Filtering with the WHERE Clause.

      WHERE Clause Syntax.

      Comparison Conditions.

      Logical Conditions.

      Top-N Queries.

    Sorting with the ORDER BY Clause.

      ORDER BY Clause Syntax.

      Sorting Using the ORDER BY Clause.

    Exam Prep Questions.

4. Operators, Conditions, Pseudocolumns, and Expressions.

    Precedence.

    Operators.

    Conditions.

    Pseudocolumns.

    Expressions.

    Exam Prep Questions.

5. Single Row Functions.

    What Is a Function?

      Types of Functions.

      Where Can Functions Be Used?

    Single Row Functions.

      String Functions.

      Number Functions.

      Date Functions.

      Datatype Conversion Functions.

      Miscellaneous Functions.

      XML and Other Obscure Functions.

    User-Defined Functions.

    Exam Prep Questions.

6. Joining Tables.

    What Is a Join?

    ANSI and Oracle Join Syntax.

      ANSI Join Syntax.

      Oracle Join Syntax.

    Types of Joins.

      Cross Join.

      Inner Join.

      Outer Join.

      Self Join.

    Natural Joins Using ANSI Join Syntax.

      The NATURAL Keyword.

      The USING Clause.

      The ON Clause.

    Equi Joins (Equality), Anti Joins (Inequality), Range Joins, and Semi Joins.

    Mutable and Complex Joins.

    Exam Prep Questions.

7. Groups and Summaries (GROUP BY).

    What Is GROUP BY?

    Basic GROUP BY Clause Syntax.

      GROUP BY Clause Rules.

    Expanding the MOVIES Schema.

    Grouping Functions.

      Aggregate Functions.

      Analytics.

    Filtering with the HAVING Clause.

    Extending GROUP BY: ROLLUP and CUBE.

    Exam Prep Questions.

8. Subqueries and Other Specialized Queries.

    What Is a Subquery?

    Where Can Subqueries Be Located?

    Comparison Condition Subquery Syntax.

    Types of Subquery.

      Scalar Subquery.

      Single Row Subquery.

      Multiple Row Subquery.

      Multiple Column Subquery.

      Correlated Subquery.

      Inline View.

      Nested Subquery.

    The WITH Clause.

    Specialized Queries.

      Composite Query.

      Hierarchical Query.

      Parallel Query.

      Flashback Query.

    Exam Prep Questions.

9. SQL*Plus Formatting.

    Environmental Settings.

      The SHOW Command.

      The SET Command.

      The Syntax of Environmental Settings.

    Scripts and Variable Substitution.

      Scripting in SQL*Plus.

      Variable Substitution in SQL*Plus.

    Formatting for Readability.

      Column Formatting and Headings.

      Headers and Footers.

      Page Headers and Footers.

      Page Breaks and Grouping Computations.

    iSQL*Plus.

      Differences Between SQL*Plus and iSQL*Plus.

      HTML Embedded Scripts.

      Customizing Display.

    Exam Prep Questions.

10. Changing Data (DML).

    What Is the Difference Between DML and DDL?

    The INSERT Command.

      Single Table INSERT.

      Multiple Table INSERT.

    The UPDATE Command.

    The DELETE Command.

      The TRUNCATE Command.

    The MERGE Command.

    Transactional Control.

      COMMIT, ROLLBACK, and SAVEPOINT.

      SET TRANSACTION.

    Exam Prep Questions.

11. Tables, Datatypes, and Constraints (DDL).

    Database Objects.

    Creating Tables.

      Datatypes.

      Constraints.

    Altering Tables.

      Columns.

      Constraints.

    Dropping and Truncating Tables.

    Metadata Views.

      Tables.

      Datatypes.

      Constraints.

    Exam Prep Questions.

12. Views, Indexes, Sequences, and Synonyms (DDL).

    Views.

      Creating Views.

      Altering and Dropping Views.

      Inline Views and Top-N Analysis.

    Indexes.

      Creating Indexes.

      Altering and Dropping Indexes.

    Sequences.

    Synonyms.

    Metadata Views.

      Views.

      Indexes.

      Sequences and Synonyms.

      Finding the Right Metadata Views.

    Exam Prep Questions.

13. Security (DDL).

    Schemas and Users.

      Types of Users.

      Creating Users.

    Grouping Privileges Using Roles.

    Privileges.

      Granting Privileges.

      Revoking Privileges.

    Metadata Views.

    Exam Prep Questions.

14. Practice Test #1 (60 questions).

15. Answer Key to Practice Test #1.

16. Practice Test #2.

17. Answer Key to Practice Test #2.

Appendix A: CD Contents and Installation Instructions.

    Multiple Test Modes.

      Study Mode.

      Certification Mode.

      Custom Mode.

      Adaptive Mode.

      Missed Question Mode.

      Non-Duplicate Mode.

    Question Types.

    Random Questions and Order of Answers.

    Detailed Explanations of Correct and Incorrect Answers.

    Attention to Exam Objectives.

    Installing the CD.

      Creating a Shortcut to the MeasureUp Practice Tests.

    Technical Support.

Appendix B: Need to Know More?

Glossary.

Index.