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From: kworrell@urbsdc.Urbana.Gould.COM
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: $199 Oracle Special PC version.
Message-ID: <28400001@urbsdc>
Date: 20 May 88 18:59:00 GMT
References: <296@intek01.UUCP>
Lines: 50
Nf-ID: #R:intek01.UUCP:296:urbsdc:28400001:000:2068
Nf-From: urbsdc.Urbana.Gould.COM!kworrell    May 20 13:59:00 1988



I have the original Oracle 5.0, which does have an error riddled set
of manuals although they do explain most of what you need.

Setup:
	I thought the setup was reasonable.  Given that the system comes
	on 20 disks, their system was ok.  It does kinda suck to have to
	install this on a PS2 when the disks are 5-1/4".

Memory:
	There is a reason why they need extended memory.  The protected
	mode executive is just what it purports to be.  It runs totally
	in protected mode (buffers, code).  This leaves all the 
	memory < 640KB for standard dos programs.  Try to run db3 on
	a 640KB machine with 500K of buffers.  This also lets you do
	other things while the database hangs around in memory.

Errors:
	I have seen some errors in the application tools/applications
	but haven't seen any (which I vividly remember) in the sqlplus
	part.  I always remind myself that I have the original version
	for the PCs.  I tend to ignore update requests.

Speed:
	Overall, the only thing I don't really like about the modules
	I have used (sqlplus, sqlforms, proc) is that it all seems a
	bit slow.  This can be fixed.  I have 2MB so maybe I need more
	buffers.

C Interface:
	I was suprised that they didn't have a version of C-codable
	triggers which worked with MSC (just lattice).  All the other
	tools seem to work with MSC.  I am told this is alleviated with
	the release which is supposed to be coming out sometime (or
	maybe it just came out).

Price:
	Remember that the $199 price is for developers only.  If you
	want to use this to do actual db stuff (other than development)
	you either have to upgrade or buy the 'real' version at the
	start.


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