50 DEFINING MOMENTS

from http://otn.oracle.com/oramag/oracle/01-nov/o61cover_50define.html

The innovations, choices, and visions that made Oracle an enterprise technology powerhouse.

1. Inspiration
(August 1977)

Although IBM researcher Dr. Edgar Codd published his theory of relational data modeling in June 1970, no company has been able to create a commercially successful relational database management system (RDBMS), in part because industry pundits claim the relational model is too slow to retrieve data—much slower than the enormous hierarchical databases of the day. Silicon Valley-based software engineers Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates—having just founded the consulting company Software Development Laboratories (SDL)—decide they can build a commercially viable RDBMS. They complete their first product, Oracle, in just under one year.

2. Releasing Oracle
(June 1979)

Although the young company—now called Relational Software, Inc. (RSI)—has supplied several government agencies with early versions of its RDBMS product, the company doesn't offer its product commercially until 1979. That summer, RSI releases its Oracle database as version 2 rather than version 1, because the fledgling company believes potential customers might not purchase the initial release of a software product. Even though the early database doesn't support the concept of transactions, RSI has no trouble attracting curious new customers who use the product for unsophisticated departmental and decision-support activities.

3. Recognizing the VAX Factor
(October 1979)

RSI discovers Digital Equipment Corporation's new VAX computer system, which runs the VMS operating system. Recognizing the nascent minicomputer's commercial potential, RSI actively promotes its Oracle database for the VAX platform (the software runs on the VAX in PDP-11 emulator mode). RSI leverages the explosive growth of the minicomputer market in the 1980s, led by the VAX.

4. Understanding the Value of Tools
(February 1981)

As RSI works to stabilize its new RDBMS, it also recognizes that customers must be able to write applications that can be used to enter, retrieve, and format data into usable reports. The company begins developing rudimentary tools for reporting—the first such tool is called the Interactive Application Facility (IAF), a declarative tool for generating and running transaction-processing forms and a predecessor to the Oracle mainstay, SQL*Forms.

5. Portable Oracle
(March 1983)

When working on version 3 of the Oracle database, Oracle's founders make what will be an enormously fortuitous decision. To avoid chaining their new product to a single hardware platform, the young engineers, with the encouragement one of the company's first customers, the CIA, decide to rewrite the database code in the new, flexible programming language C. C gives the new product maximum portability, meaning it can be easily modified for many brands and types of computers. The new release also introduces the atomic execution of SQL statements and transactions. Atomicity means that a transaction is either committed entirely or else it is rolled back. With this release, RSI changes its name to Oracle, to more closely identify the company with its database.

6. Giving It Integrity
(October 1984)

On the heels of Oracle version 3 comes Oracle version 4. A notable feature is read consistency, or the assurance that a query against the database will see a set of data that remains consistent during the time it takes to execute the query. The benefits to business are obvious: for example, money shifted between bank accounts during a query won't be miscomputed, employees added to an HR database during a query won't be counted twice, and so forth.

7. Porting Oracle to the PC
(November 1984)

Although early versions are never released to the general public, Oracle ports its now successful RDBMS to the desktop PC, which had been released by companies such as IBM and Apple only three years earlier. Remarkably, the MS-DOS version of Oracle, with a complete and powerful implementation of SQL, runs in only 640K of memory.

8. Eyeing a New Distributed Paradigm
(April 1985)

In 1985 and 1986, Oracle releases versions 5.0 and 5.1 of its RDBMS. The versions are remarkable because they are among the first RDBMSs to operate in client/server mode. This means that multiple desktop business applications (the clients) can access a single database residing on a server. Version 5.1 also contains a new feature that enables distributed queries, allowing a single query to access data stored in multiple locations.

9. Exploring Clusters
(June 1986)

With version 5.1, Oracle begins to explore the concept of clustering, in which multiple loosely coupled machines not sharing memory can access the same database. Although the clustering technology won't mature for several subsequent database releases, it marks the company's early commitment to designing flexible software that can "scale," or grow as a business grows.

10. Creating an Applications Division
(August 1987)

Recognizing the trend in implementing packaged business applications among its enterprise clients, Oracle creates an applications division and begins building business-management software that will integrate closely with its database. Oracle acquires a company named TCI primarily for its project-management application but builds all of its other business applications from scratch.

11. Row-Level Locking and the Enterprise Database
(July 1988)

Oracle version 6 introduces a host of new features. One of the most important is row-level locking, meaning that a transaction performing writes will lock only the affected rows and not an entire table. The result is improved system throughput when many users are accessing the same data.

12. Creating a Hot Backup
(July 1988)

Version 6 also introduces a new concept in backing up data—the idea that a backup can be created while the database is online and in use, called a hot backup. Prior to this, the database had to be shut down to create a backup of its data.

13. The Power of Procedures
(July 1988)

Queries against the Oracle database are written in the fourth-generation language SQL. Although flexible and relatively simple to learn, SQL doesn't allow for the procedural constructs of a third-generation language such as C or COBOL. Oracle's engineers overcome this problem by creating PL/SQL, an extension of SQL that allows for the creation of procedures. The PL/SQL introduced with Oracle version 6 is rudimentary, but subsequent releases become increasingly sophisticated, allowing procedures to be stored in the database and triggered by many logical activities.

14. Making It Massive
(October 1991)

In just a few years, the Oracle database has become a critical component in business computing. Many of the business demands that are now driving development of new features call for the database to work in larger, more sophisticated environments, such as a massively parallel processing (MPP) environment. An MPP environment takes clustering one step farther, with a greater number of CPUs.

15. Raising the Bar with Oracle7
(June 1992)

After four years of intense research and development and two more years of customer testing, Oracle releases version 7 of its database. The database has a vast array of new performance features, administration enhancements, new tools for application development, and security methods. Oracle7 also includes capabilities such as stored procedures, triggers, and declarative referential integrity, making the database programmable and able to enforce business rules.

16. The Client/Server Revolution Continues
(January 1993)

By early 1993, Oracle has rewritten all of its business applications to run in client/server mode.

17. Ahead of the Media Game
(February 1994)

Predicting that the internet, intranets, and television will require efficient and reliable storage, management, and delivery of vast quantities of multimedia content, Oracle has been busily developing new types of data servers that can support emerging new applications. Oracle becomes the first vendor to release a media server with a set of tools for managing and delivering multimedia applications. The server runs on MPP hardware from nCube. Eventually nCube acquires the Oracle product.

18. Expanding the Warehouse
(June 1995)

Data warehousing systems—specially formatted collections of data designed to support management decision-making—are becoming popular, and Oracle has been developing new functionality to support these systems. On June 21, 1995, Oracle launches a new set of data warehousing features, including parallel query. With parallel query, queries can be broken up and executed in parallel, using multiple processors of a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) machine.

19. The Internet Vision
(November 1995)

During a keynote presentation at an IDC-sponsored conference in Paris, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison introduces his vision of the network computer, a small, inexpensive device that makes it easy to run applications that access information via the internet. The keynote takes the technology world by storm and is especially notable because it comes at a time when very few other companies have presented internet strategies—most are, in fact, focusing on the release of Windows 95 from Microsoft. Although actual NC devices never gain significant market share, Ellison's vision of internet-centric business computing proves remarkably prophetic. This compelling vision leads to a ground-breaking new product strategy for Oracle and catalyzes the rapid price reduction of PCs, to meet the demand for cheaper, simpler desktop computing.

20. The NT Equation
(September 1996)

Two years after porting its database to the Microsoft Windows NT operating system, Oracle ports all of its development tools, object technology, and modeling and analysis tools to NT as well. Recognizing that Microsoft's NT operating system is becoming increasingly popular with small businesses, later that year Oracle will deliver a multinode scalable database for Windows NT clusters.

21. Intelligence to the People
(April 1997)

Having beta-tested early implementations in late 1996, Oracle now releases a product called Discoverer, an easy-to-use ad hoc end user query tool for business intelligence.

22. The Object-Relational/Web Database
(June 1997)

At a celebratory event in New York's Radio City Music Hall, Ellison unveils Oracle8. As with Oracle7 and its support of client/server computing, the newly released Oracle8 database represents the support and extension of a new paradigm, the internet and network computing. As such, the database includes support for object-oriented development and new multimedia applications. It also has features for handling both large numbers of users and large amounts of data.

23. Giving Java a Starring Role
(September 1997)

To underscore its commitment to Java and related object-oriented programming technology, Oracle reveals that it is preparing to launch a completely revised developer suite of tools, all with native Java support. Included in the suite is support for reusable Java business objects created with active object models and Oracle's Java integrated development environment as well as a new tool that will eventually be named Oracle JDeveloper. The suite is unique not just for its high level of integration with other Oracle products but also for its support of the development, reuse, and customization of Java business objects.

24. The Middle Tier Gets Sophisticated
(December 1997)

At an internet trade show in New York, Oracle previews software and servers under development that will comprise much of the company's sophisticated, standards-based "middle tier" technology and come bundled as Oracle Application Server 4.0.

25. Applications and the Global Reach of the Internet
(January 1998)

Oracle releases its entire applications suite (over 30 modules at the time) enabled for use on the Web. Called Release 10.7 NCA, the applications now run across the internet in a standard Web browser. Six months later, the company will reaffirm its internet vision by announcing that it will no longer develop new applications for use in a client/server environment. In May of that year, the company ships another significant release of the applications, Release 11, in which the applications work together as an integrated suite. Release 11 contains the industry's first consolidation engine integrated with the operational financial systems and is first to market with flow manufacturing, helping companies cut inventory costs and reduce cycle times.

26. Java's Starring Role, Take 2
(April 1998)

With the release of the world's first "internet database" only months away, Oracle announces that the company is working on a Java virtual machine (JVM) for the database. The announcement is important, because it makes Oracle the first database engine to incorporate its own tightly coupled Java runtime, providing database users with comprehensive Java support.

27. Managing Metadata
(August 1998)

In a move that further signifies a commitment to open standards and component-based development, Oracle unveils its enhanced Oracle Repository, a metadata storage facility with a Java/CORBA API. The repository will be packaged with Oracle Designer, a modeling and application-generation tool.

28. The Internet Database
(September 1998)

At a small invitation-only event, Oracle gives its partners a special sneak preview of the soon-to-be released Oracle8i Database. Oracle8i is immediately named the internet database because of its wide array of new features designed to support internet-based activities and applications. In addition to the previously announced JVM and native Java support come new features such as SQLJ, an open standard for embedding SQL database statements into client or server Java code, and Oracle interMedia, for managing multimedia content.

29. Testing Application Hosting
(September 1998)

Making good on predictions that software will one day be offered as a service over the internet, Oracle begins a pilot of its application hosting program called Business OnLine. Oracle's financial, distribution, and manufacturing applications are the first to be tested by subscribers in this fashion, with other applications following closely behind. Not only does the new program make use of Oracle's modified business applications but it also employs new features of the Oracle8i Database to keep multiple clients' data separate and secure.

30. Lining Up for Linux
(October 1998)

Anticipating the immense popularity of the new open source operating system, Linux, Oracle releases Oracle8 and Oracle Application Server 4.0 for Linux (Oracle8i for Linux will appear within several months). Demand for the new Linux products is indeed high—Oracle reports that more than 20,000 developers register for test copies of the Linux port of the database through the Oracle Technology Network (otn.oracle.com) during the first two weeks of the product's release.

31. The Significance of Raw Iron
(November 1998)

At the annual technology trade show COMDEX, Ellison announces that Oracle and selected hardware vendors will soon start shipping servers with Oracle's database preinstalled and running on a slimmed-down operating system. The project, code-named Raw Iron, doesn't become a commercial success, but it leverages Oracle's deep development and marketing relationships with hardware vendors to bring lower costs and simpler operations to smaller organizations and departmental computing.

32. Extensive XML Support
(November 1998)

Defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as the emerging standard for defining and transporting information across the internet, Extensible Markup Language (XML) will soon be a standard in business-to-business electronic communication. Anticipating the XML wave, Oracle has been incorporating XML support into its product technology. In late 1998, Oracle announces a series of enhancements to Oracle8i, Oracle Application Server, and the company's development tools, designed to take advantage of the power of XML. A few months later, Oracle will announce XML-enabled message broker capabilities, with significant implications for electronic communication among businesses.

33. Streamlining Java Development with BC4J
(May 1999)

Once again signaling its belief in the importance of Java and component-based development, Oracle begins beta-testing Business Components for Java (BC4J). BC4J is a set of Java framework classes and wizards that function as add-ins to Oracle JDeveloper 2.0 for automatically optimizing the database interaction with the application under development. The framework is revolutionary because it allows developers to focus on one area of programming—building business logic—while letting BC4J handle the database interaction.

34. Web Publishing for Linux
(August 1999)

Although it's been released for other platforms, the release of Oracle WebDB for Linux becomes a popular download from the Oracle Technology Network. WebDB is a free browser-based tool for building, managing, and monitoring database-driven Web sites. The tool will eventually mature into portal technology.

35. Internet-Enabling Business Applications
(September 1999)

After significant work to integrate all of its business applications and modify them to operate across the internet, Oracle prepares to release version 11i of its applications. The release is significant in its far-reaching support and definition of the new internet-centric practices that are beginning to define "e-business." In addition, the release marks the most substantial integration of customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications to date.

36. Building Online Marketplaces
(November 1999)

To meet the burgeoning demand for a technical infrastructure capable of supporting online exchanges, Oracle releases a set of products and services designed to help companies integrate internal applications and interfaces and communicate with trading partners and customers. In addition to providing the technology to other companies that are developing online exchanges, Oracle announces the launch of its online marketplace—Oracle Exchange—which will comprise general and industry-specific trading communities. More than 950 companies register to do business through Oracle Exchange during its first month of operation.

37. Going Mobile
(February 2000)

On February 22, 2000, Oracle flips a figurative switch, and OracleMobile.com goes live. OracleMobile begins as a wireless internet portal for consumers. Soon after, OracleMobile will work with other mobile operators to allow them to provide branded versions of these services to their subscribers. Later in the year, OracleMobile will launch OracleMobile Studio, an online development platform for mobile developers.

38. Easing File Management
(May 2000)

To help users more easily manage files, Oracle releases internet file system (iFS), which allows any Windows file in any format to be dragged and dropped easily into a directory and be integrated into the database. iFS has advanced features such as versioning, check-in, check-out, and advanced searching. It also contains Java application programming interfaces (APIs) to the file system, allowing independent software vendors (ISVs) and developers to add, modify, or override iFS's default features.

39. Complete Integration
(May 2000)

Oracle ships Oracle E-Business Suite Release 11i, the industry's first internet-enabled integrated suite of business applications that spans both front- and back-office operations. All applications are built on a single data model that provides seamless, real-time business intelligence throughout a company.

40. Portal Technology Matures
(June 2000)

Oracle first articulated a portal strategy in late 1999, and with the release of Oracle's latest application server, Oracle9i Application Server, provides additional content management, wireless, and portlet features along with hosted deployment options.

41. Support for Wireless
(September 2000)

Replete with prebuilt adapters for wireless e-mail and directory services, Oracle releases Oracle9i Application Server Wireless, a middleware product for developing and deploying wireless internet content and services. The newly released application server contains technology for building location-aware services, based on the location of an end user.

42. Software as a Service
(October 2000)

Oracle continues to make good on its promise to offer software as a service with the launch of OracleSalesOnline.com, an online application that delivers the core sales applications of Oracle E-Business Suite as a free, online service. Oracle continues to launch more "software as service" offerings, including SupplyChain.Oracle.com—a collaborative supply chain online service, launched early the following year.

43. The Fastest Cache on the Internet
(November 2000)

As part of its rebuilt application server, Oracle announces a Web-caching technology that will dramatically increase Web site performance and scalability. Included in Oracle9i Application Server, the Web caching technology is unique because it caches dynamically generated pages (those containing personalized or customized information) in addition to static pages.

44. Previewing Oracle9i Real Application Clusters
(December 2000)

At its annual trade show, Oracle OpenWorld, Oracle previews a revolutionary new technology called Real Application Clusters. Oracle's technology is unique in the industry and is built on cache fusion, in which all caches in a node are fused across high-speed interconnects, meaning the database can scale transparently on inexpensive, clustered hardware. For the first time ever, inexpensive computers can be connected to create a high-end platform for transaction processing that works for any application, with no modification to that application. Suddenly, companies can build high-end systems at a fraction of the cost of expensive SMP systems.

45. Giving Web Sites the Edge
(April 2001)

Oracle announces that the company has enhanced the Web-caching capability of Oracle9i Application Server by helping to develop a new standard called Edge Side Includes. The standard, developed in conjunction with content management industry leaders, makes it possible to assemble and serve dynamic content from the "edge" of the network, helping decrease the load on the Web site's content infrastructure.

46. Building an E-Business with Oracle9i Database
(June 2001)

At events around the world, Oracle releases Oracle9i Database. Possibly Oracle's most significant release ever, the new database contains technologies that will change the competitive landscape. In addition to record-breaking TPC-C benchmark results, the new database contains revolutionary technology supporting the model of software as a service along with more than 400 new features, including Real Application Clusters and integrated business intelligence functionality.

47. Developing for Distributed Computing
(July 2001)

In keeping with its mission to help companies maximize the internet for their business processes and applications, Oracle releases Oracle9i JDeveloper. As the first of the new Oracle9i development tools, JDeveloper now supports Java2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE)- and XML-based applications and the creation of Web services.

48. Wireless E-Business Suite Access
(September 2001)

In addition to reworking its business applications to run across the internet, Oracle also redesigns them to work on wireless and mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones, and Web phones.

49. Understanding Web Habits
(November 2001)

To help businesses understand how Web users interact with their Web sites, Oracle releases Oracle Clickstream Intelligence, a tool that gathers Web traffic data and performs sophisticated analysis on user interaction with Web sites.

50. Serving Internet Applications
(November 2001)

As 2001 draws to a close, Oracle prepares to launch Release 2 of its Oracle9i Application Server. The server now includes support for J2EE applications and is more closely integrated with Oracle's application development tools. In addition, the application server begins to receive acclaim, and Oracle9iAS wins awards from CRN (formerly Computer Reseller News) and Web Techniques magazine.