Oracle, The Complete Reference

This is a book that I originally wrote in 1989 about the Oracle database products, versions 5 and 6, while I was in seminary and before I went to work for Oracle Corporation. It was first published by Osborne/McGraw-Hill in 1990. Several years ago, Kevin Loney took on the unenviable job of keeping it up-to-date with technical advances in the Oracle database product line, though the majority of the content and organization of the book is still mine. The book is available worldwide in 8 languages. Details on the book can be found on the publisher's web site: Osborne/McGraw-Hill or at Amazon. It is now up to Version 12, and has sold over a million copies worldwide. It is the best-selling Oracle book of all time, and one of the best selling database design books in history.

Here's a review of the book, written in 1994, from the Library Journal:

Any book over 1000 pages on any program formidably affects gravity, intelligence, and dexterity all at the same time. How does Koch, senior vice president at ORACLE, overcome these universal limits to book use? First, he divides his text into six segments, which actually break down into two parts--one for everyday users, one for ORACLE gurus. The first part explains relational databases, how to speak Structured Query Language (SQL), and database design (this section is in the center of the book and should be required reading for all database architects). The second part discusses SQLPLUS and finishes with a 445-page alphabetical list of ORACLE commands. ORACLE's increasing popularity will make this book a useful title on the shelf of anyone dealing with the intricacies of SQL. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Here's another, from 2014, twenty years later:

Another quality book from Oracle Press; if you’re new into Oracle databases then this book has everything you need to get started. All the topics are well organised and structured. Really good introduction into database design... -Tariq Hussain, Oracle Users Group, United Kingdom.

Here’s the original book from 1989. I looked a bit younger in those days, though the high energy remains, as well as the love of writing!

Also, though I always (well, almost always) welcome comments on the book, I no longer work in the field, and I can't consult or give advice on Oracle or any questions you might have on how to use it. I'm busy being a dad, pastor, and author.