What is Oracle Spatial? The product provides an integrated set of functions and procedures that enable spatial data to be stored, accessed, and analyzed quickly and efficiently in Oracle8i. This means that spatial and attribute data can now be managed in one physical database, thereby reducing processing overhead and eliminating the complexity of coordinating and synchronizing disparate sets of data. "By using Oracle8i extensible indexing features, Oracle Spatial exceeds the performance of previous releases." Oracle Spatial provides a completely open architecture for the management of spatial data within a database management system. The functionality provided by Oracle Spatial is completely integrated within the database server. Users define and manipulate spatial data through SQL and gain access to standard Oracle features such as a flexible n-tier architecture, object capabilities, robust data management utilities, and Java stored procedures. This ensures data integrity, recovery, and security features that are virtually impossible to obtain with other architectures. In addition, a new geocoding framework facilitates address matching, storage, and retrieval of geocoded spatial point data, as well as within-distance query capability, from within Oracle8i databases. With the release of Oracle8i, spatial data can be stored in relational tables or as objects -- abstract data types (ADTs). This new object data type (SDO_GEOMETRY) is supported directly by core Oracle8i engine. The use of the object relational type enables spatial data to be stored, accessed, and analyzed quickly and efficiently in an Oracle8i database. This gives application developers the facility to store all locational (geographically referenced) information within an industry standard database server without having to resort to custom-built external indexes and functions to get the performance they need. Users of spatial data have access to standard Oracle8i features, plus enhanced features such as bigger database size limits, faster backup and recovery, and Java in the database. In Spring 1999, Oracle Spatial (ver. 8.0 and 8i) became the first software company to pass OpenGIS conformance testing for "Simple Features for SQL". Oracle's commitment to standards activities is demonstrated by its active principal-level membership in the Open GIS Consortium (OGC) during the past three years. License Oracle 8i Personal Edition for $395 and get essentially all features of "Spatial Cartridge", the replacement technology for SDO, plus a JAVA database. http://www.oracle.com/database/options/spatial/index.html Do we really need SDE anymore? MidNight Mapper 9/25/99 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe MAPINFO-L" in the message body, or contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
