EXPERT RESPONSE
First, yes, you can run Oracle 9i on XP Pro. And secondly, since you're
running XP Pro, you'll have to load a 9i database as Oracle has not certified Oracle 8i to run on XP Pro (and
doesn't plan to). Only the 8i
client has been certified to work, not the database. So, with your
hardware, you'll have to go with learning on a 9i database.
You can download a free trial copy from http://technet.oracle.com or order a
trial CD Pack for around $40 or so. You then can choose which version
of the database you install to learn from (Personal, Standard,
Enterprise). I'll assume that you know SQL, etc., since you've been in the
DBA biz on the mainframe side, so if you really want to learn Oracle
you'll probably want to look at the Enterprise edition. Installing this
should give you a full-featured look at Oracle.
Learning Oracle is challenging when it's brand new, but there are lots
of resources, both from Oracle and from many third party sites and
forums. There are also lots of CBTs available that you might find
helpful. Pick up a few books, browse around this site and others for
good Oracle info and links and have at it!
For More Information
|
