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6. Final Words

6.1 Useful Software

Now that you've managed to get Oracle installed, you'll want to try and use it. Although it's possible to do everything from your server PC, it's generally best to user the client-server facilities and use another machine to access your database.

Naturally Oracle have a large collection of, largely, pretty good client software, however there's not much for Linux at this time. The main useful piece of software, Oracle Enterprise Manager, usually comes with Oracle.

But most of the best software comes from other places...

• Tool for Oracle Application Development (T.O.A.D.). This used to be free but is now owned by Quest Software. You can download a free version (if you're prepared to do it every couple of months) or you can pay for it. When I'm using Oracle on a daily basis, this is the program I choose if I have to use a Windows desktop. It's not as polished as some, but it does just about everything you need.
• TOra. This is the closest you'll find to a TOAD for Linux. In fact, in some ways it's better than TOAD! The Linux version is free, but you can also buy a Windows version.
• SQLNavigator. Also by Quest Software. I've not really used it but it's been highly recommended by all who have.
• OraSoft. These guys produce applications for Oracle that actually run on Linux. I've not used them in anger, but they look good.
• Orac. Another that I've not used much, but has been described as a nice, configurable DBA-tool by a number of people.

6.2 Useful Books

I seem to get most of my Oracle information from colleagues and books. I'm not able to give away my colleagues, but the books I recommend are as follows:

• Oracle Essentials, Rick Greenwald, R. Stackowiak, Jonathan Stern, O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-708-7.
• Oracle 8i: The Complete Reference, Kevin Loney and George Koch, Oracle Press, ISBN 0-07212-364-8.
• Oracle Performance Tuning, Mark Gurry and Peter Corrigan, O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-237-9.
• Oracle Design, Dave Ensor and Ian Stevenson, O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-268-9.
• PL/SQL Programming, Steven Feuerstein, O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-335-9.
• PL/SQL Built-in Packages, Steven Feuerstein, O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-375-8.

You'll find some more book recommendations and reviews on my web site.

6.3 Useful Internet resources

There's a lot of useful stuff on the web.

• Oracle Technet. This is Oracle's public and free support website. Lot's of very useful information there.
• Oracle Metalink. Oracle's private (you need a support contract) support website. Only slightly more useful than Technet!
• If this HOWTO hasn't worked for you, there are a couple of other's that you might like to try: Jesus M. Salvo, Jr.'s and Tom Bissett's slightly dated guide. Or there's a bulletin board on my website if you still need to ask questions.
• OraFaq. A site full of questions and answers regarding Oracle on all platforms.
• Oracle Linux mailing list (Send a mail to ListGuru@fatcity.com with the words 'SUBSCRIBE ORACLE-LINUX-L' in the body.