This book is for professional Oracle database programmers who need a comprehensive roadmap of the new programming possibilities with Oracle 8i. On the other hand, if you are already developing with Java and XML this book will show you how to exploit PL/SQL and the enterprise features of Oracle 8i in optimally distributing your n-tier applications. Knowledge of the essentials of PL/SQL programming is required, and familiarity with Java would be useful.OVERVIEW: Oracle Corporation has broadened its development platform, integrating open standards such as Java and XML into the heart of the Oracle 8i database. This extended programming environment continues to exploit the qualities of scalability, reliability and efficiency of the world’s most successful data management software, but at the same time it provides new challenges and opportunities to programmers. This book shows you how to develop enterprise PL/SQL applications exploiting Java and XML, and how technologies such as EJBs can be moved to the 8i database. You’ll work through case studies using a mix of both familiar and unfamiliar tools and languages, showing you how the various programming approaches can enhance each other. Author Biography: The authors are a multi-author Wrox writing team of professional developers.