Need to know technical information about the Oracle9i Database, but don't want to wade through a stack of manuals? You can find information more quickly than ever before using the new Oracle9i Database documentation interface, available through the OTN web site or on a documentation CD.

• Save on wasted time and support calls. Syntax details, how-to instructions, and troubleshooting information are only a click or two away. Usability tests prove that the 9i documentation is easier and faster to use online than the 8i docs.
• Get comprehensive information on new 9i features, to help you get the most out of the latest database technology.
• Use a search engine that takes you to the precise spot where the search terms are mentioned, instead of scrolling through an entire chapter. Innovative search options (patent pending) let you find information at just the right level of detail, whether you're a new user or a long-time Oracle user.
• Save on paper, printing time, and shelf space by using the documentation online rather than printing your own. Users of the printed docs are finding that they can do away with their paper copies.
• If you do like to print your own copies, the online docs are organized to make it simple to find all the PDF files you need. The "virtual book" search option helps you locate the chapters related to a topic, so that you can print only the most relevant pieces.

Features for New Users

• You can restrict the search to only introductory information, such as Concepts books, Introduction chapters, FAQs, and so on.
• In the list of books, you can highlight the books that are most useful for new users.
• The New Features book contains an overview of the new 9i features.
• Most books contain a What's New section that describes and links to the new features explained in that book.
• The "virtual book" option of search arranges results by level of detail. You can find out what a feature is, then understand how to use it and find examples, all by doing a single search.
• The Master Glossary makes it easy to get definitions for unfamiliar terms.

Features for Power Users

• You can restrict the search to only examples or only troubleshooting information.
• The list of books is arranged to help you find the exact book you want as fast as possible, and download several PDFs from the same page.
• Quick reference pages make it easy to look up the most important information for DBAs and programmers. You can find SQL, PL/SQL, and SQL*Plus syntax all in one place. Initialization parameters and data dictionary views also get their own quick references. In each case, you can look up the definition of a keyword, or get usage info and examples.
• The Master Index is more complete and precise than in 8i.
• You can perform single-book searches. The search form on the main page lets you search the most popular books. Links from the list of books let you search any book.

Search Features

• Full-text search powered by Oracle Text.
• Filter results by type of information: introductory, tasks, examples, and troubleshooting.
• Search a single book.
• Search for the name of an object, then pick from a list of tasks you can perform with it.
• Search titles rather than full text, to find only the most relevant topics.
• Use the "virtual book" option to arrange results into a table of contents, where you can find the level of detail you want and see similar results across several books.
• Get tips for refining search terms, if you get too many or too few hits.
  
  Notes:

• Some search features are personalized based on your OTN logon ID. To see all search hints and tips, log on to OTN or my.oracle.com first.
• The documentation CD uses Oracle.com for searching, providing all search features to local doc users with no install or configuration effort. An Internet connection is required to get the search features. Without an Internet connection, you can still find any information using the Master Index and list of books.

New and Improved Content

• New Features book.
• Improved Master Index.
• New Master Glossary.
• New books about important new features such as Real Application Clusters, OLAP, and the Internet File System.
• Windows and generic books available on the same site.
• Coming soon - UNIX books and install documentation.

	Oracle9i Database Documentation Library - The improvements mentioned in this article apply to both the web site and the documentation CD
	Oracle8i Database Documentation Library - Where we have retrofitted many of the same improvements

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