Oracle

= Oracle = toc [|Oracle] is an American corporation specializing in computer hardware systems, enterprise software products, and its most popular database management systems. Oracle has a range of database options for any variety of user needs. Its latest version is [|Oracle Database 11g] which is widely used by corporations for their data organization and structure. Oracle also uses MySQL which is one of the world's most popular open source database.

History
Oracle was founded in 1977 by three Silicon Valley-based engineers, Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates through their company Software Development Laboratories (SDL). They drew up a contract with the CIA to build a unique database program named "Oracle." Ellison was inspired by a journal article about commercializing the relational database model. In 1978, SDL changed its name to Relational Software Inc. (RSI), and began to introduce its database into the minicomputer market, making their product compatible with IBM's structured query language (SQL). In 1979, RSI supplied Oracle to several government agencies, making it the first commercial relational database management system. Oracle also continued to entice personal computer needs by allowing users to design and write their own applications in Oracle for entering, retrieving, and formatting data in reports. In 1983, now the Oracle Corporation,

[[image:oracle4.jpg width="354" height="253" align="right" caption="Oracle's Founders in 1977"]]
Oracle introduced Version 3 with server code written in the C programming language. This allowed Oracle databases to run on mainframes, minicomputers, and any hardwared with a C compiler. Oracle roled out the first client/server database in 1985, which allowed businesses to access a database server over a network. In 2010, Oracle bought Sun Microsystems, making Oracle the only vendor to offer a full "technology stack" to include Oracle Enterprise Linus, Oracle VM, Oracle Fusion Middleware, as well as the Sun server and operating system. Oracle is an open architecture operating system which gives its customers a variety of capabilities they can tweek to their own needs.

A short video that demonstrates Oracle's set-up and use

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Controversy
Like many corporations, Oracle has seen its share of controversies. In 2000, it was criticized for hiring private detectives to comb through the trash of companies involved in an antitrust suit with Microsoft. What came to be known as "Trashgate" had Ellison defending his company with statements such as, "All we did was to try to take information that was hidden and bring it into the light, I dont think thats arrogance. That's a public service." Another controversy arose in 2002, when Oracle advertised its latest 9i version as "Unbreakable. Can't break it. Can't break in." This was only to be disclaimed by a U.K. security researcher, David Litchfield, who soon found at least seven security holes. Oracle had to backtrack on its claims and reassure its customers of its products' soundness. In 2004 the Oracle Corporation was sued by United States Attorney, John Ashcroft to prevent Oracle from acquiring a multi-billion dollar intelligence contract. When Ashcroft resigned from the government, he founded his own lobying firm, The Ashcroft Group. Oracle hired Ashcroft's company in 2005 which then helped Oracle procure the government contract.

**References**
Oracle (2012). Oracle's History. Retrieved from [|http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/history/index.html] Oracle (2012). Oracle Timeline. Retrieved from [] Poulson, K. (2002). Oracle security claimed to be debunked. Retrieved from [] (2006). Ashcroft breaks with tradition by lobbying, has earned $269,000. Retrieved from [|http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/jan/1275410.ht] Vaas, L. (2004). Oracle rethinks its dumpster-diving ways. Retrieved from []