To support current and emerging database applications, Object-Relational Database Management Systems (ORDBMS) provide mechanisms to extend the data storage capabilities and the functionality of the database with application-specific types and methods. Using these mechanisms, the database may contain user-defined data types, large objects (LOBs), external procedures, extensible indexing, query optimisation techniques and other features that are treated in the same way as built-in database features . The many extensibility options provided by the ORDBMS, however, raise several implementation challenges that are not always obvious. This thesis examines a few of the key challenges that arise when extending Oracle database with new functionality. To realise the potential of extensibility in Oracle, the thesis used the problem area of image retrieval as the main test domain. Current research efforts in image retrieval are lagging behind the required retrieval, but are continuously improving. As better retrieval techniques become available, it is important that they are integrated into the available database systems to facilitate improved retrieval. The thesis also reports on the practical experiences gained from integrating an extensible indexing scenario. Sample scenarios are integrated in Oracle9i database using the data cartridge mechanism, which allows Oracle database functionality to be extended with new functional components. The integration demonstrates how additional functionality may be effectively applied to both general and specialised domains in the database. It also reveals alternative design options that allow data cartridge developers, most of who are not database server experts, to extend the database. The thesis is concluded with some of the key observations and options that designers must consider when extending the database with new functionality. The main challenges for developers are the learning curve required to understand the data cartridge framework and the ability to adapt already developed code within the constraints of the data cartridge using the provided extensibility APls. Maximum reusability relies on making good choices for the basic functions, out of which specialised functions can be built. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in

Database and database technology are having a major impact on the growing use of computers. The rising popularity of database systems for the management of data has resulted in an increasing number of systems. As the number grows, the difficulty in choosing the system which will best meet the requirements of a particular application also increases. Knowing how to choose the correct one for a given application is important.The purpose of this thesis is to compare two very commonly used Database Management Systems (ORACLE and RDB) at Ball State University by describing and listing the advantages of each of them as well as their weaknesses, giving a comprehensive study of their performances, user friendliness, limits, and to aid users and managers in obtaining a deeper knowledge of these two systems. / Department of Computer Science

Databases and database technology are having a major impact on the growing use of computers. It is fair to say that databases are playing a critical role in almost all areas where computers are used, including business, engineering, medicine, law, education, and library science, to name a few.At Ball State University, databases are very widely used among faculty, staff, and students. The common commercial database management system (DBMS) used in the university is ORACLE. Due to the extensive use of the system and the availability and easy access to alternative systems such as RDB/VMS, a comparative research is in order.This thesis is a comprehensive comparison between the two systems. It covers the differences in design, SQL codings, and the use of host programming language such as FORTRAN. It concentrates on the differences in memory usage, execution time, as well as the CPU time needed to precompile, link, and run. / Department of Computer Science

M.Sc. (Informatics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Increased production and use of multimedia data has led to the development of a more advanced Database Management System (DBMS), like an Object Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS). These advanced databases are necessitated by the complexity in structure and the functionality required by multimedia data. Unfortunately, no suitable benchmarks exist with which to test the performance of databases when handling multimedia data. This thesis describes the design of a benchmark to measure the performance of basic functionality found in multimedia databases. The benchmark, called MORD (Multimedia Object Relational Databases), targets Oracle, a well known commercial Object Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS) that can handle multimedia data. Although MORD targets Oracle, it can easily be applied to other Multimedia Database Management System (MMDBMS) as a result of a design that stressed its portability, and simplicity. MORD consists of a database schema, test data, and code to simulate representative queries on multimedia databases. A number of experiments are described that validate MORD and ensure its correct design and that its objectives are met. A by-product of these experiments is an initial understanding of the performance of multimedia databases. The experiments show that with multimedia data the buffer cache should be at least large enough to hold the largest dataset, a bigger block size improves the performance, and turning off logging and caching for bulk loading improves the performance. MORD can be used to compare different ORDBMS or to assist in the configuration of a specific database.

M.Com. (Computer Auditing) / This study investigates the effects of the implementation and upgrade of financial Enterprise Resource Planning (hereafter ERP) systems, particularly the Oracle system, on financial reporting and audit. It also determines whether the independent external auditors play a vital role in the process of implementing internal controls in the implementation and upgrade of the Oracle system at a higher education institution (hereafter HEI). With the ever-evolving information technology, it is of utmost importance that the necessary controls be implemented. A sample of 18 Oracle system users from the HEI finance expenditure department and HEI independent external auditors is surveyed and the results of the survey are used to provide advice to organisational management on measures that should be implemented to ensure smooth systems implementation and post-implementation results. The empirical study indicates that the HEI had adequate measures and controls in place to ensure that the ERP implementation runs smoothly and threats are avoided, resulting in a successful implementation for competitive advantage in HEI.

The nature of Internet and Intranet Web applications has changed from a static content-distribution medium into an interactive, dynamic medium, often used to serve multimedia from back-end object-relational databases to Web-enabled clients. Consequently, developers need to make an informed technological choice for developing software that supports a Web-based application for distributing multimedia over networks. This decision is based on several factors. Among the factors are ease of programming, richness of features, scalability, and performance. The research focuses on these key factors when distributing images from an Oracle9i database using Java Servlets, JSP, ASP, and ASP.NET as the server-side development technologies. Prototype applications are developed and tested within each technology: one for single image serving and the other for multiple image serving. A matrix of recommendations is provided to distinguish which technology, or combination of technologies, provides the best performance and development platform for image serving within the studied envirorunent. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in

This project describes DRG (Dynamic Report Generator). This program can be used on the internet to summarize the content of a database based on user criteria. DRG allows the user to choose a database, input the data, and generate a report based on user input, and print out the results in a new format. This paper describes the design and analysis of the DRG program.