How This Book Is Organized

This book is divided into five logical parts. Chapters within these sections deal with specific topics related to that area. The parts are as follows:

• Part I, "Getting Started with Oracle Database 10g." This part provides an introduction to the architecture of this version as well practical tips on installing and customizing your installation. If you are new to Oracle Database 10g or are installing it for the first time, you may find this section helpful when you get started. If you are currently using ASM or plan to use it later, Chapter 4 in this part, "Setting Up Automatic Storage Management," can provide some insider tips!

• Part II, "Quick Wins Using Oracle Database 10g." This part launches straight away into a number of administrative tools and options that you can configure quickly and easily in Oracle Database 10g. This includes using Automatic Memory Management, Automatic Statistics Collection, Automatic Undo, Automatic Segment Management, as well as RMAN. This part shows how you can use these features that are already present in Oracle Database 10g to generate "quick wins."

• Part III, "Tuning Oracle Database 10g." This part deals exclusively with topics related to tuning. Starting with a new approach to tuning, we deal with the workload repository and various tuning-related advisors in this part. The part is rounded off with a chapter on the Cost Based Optimizer.

• Part IV, "Scaling and Availability with Oracle Database 10g." This part discusses products and options related to this topic. Oracle RAC (Real Application Clusters), Data Guard, and Flashback technologies are discussed in detail. We also introduce the concept and application of grid technologies now made possible with Oracle Data- base 10g.

• Part V, "Using Oracle Database 10g Utilities and Other Advanced Features." This part discusses the new utilities provided by Oracle Database 10g. We wrap it up with a separate chapter listing a collection of interesting new features that are worth pursuing further.