Preface

This guide describes how to use Oracle8 Visual Information Retrieval Cartridge. This cartridge, based on technology licensed from Virage, Inc., extends the capabilities of Oracle8 Image Cartridge by allowing content-based retrieval of images.

Visual Information Retrieval Cartridge requires Oracle8 Enterprise Edition. Oracle8 and Oracle8 Enterprise Edition have the same basic features. However, several advanced features, such as data cartridges, are available only with the Enterprise Edition, and some of these features are optional. For example, to extend Visual Information Retrieval Cartridge, you must have the Enterprise Edition and the Objects Option.

For information about the differences between Oracle8 and the Oracle8 Enterprise Edition and the features and options that are available to you, see Getting to Know Oracle8.

Intended Audience

This guide is intended for anyone who is interested in storing, retrieving, and manipulating image data in an Oracle database, including developers of image specialization cartridges.

Structure

This guide contains the following chapters and appendixes:

Chapter 1	Introduces image information retrieval and data cartridges; explains image-related concepts.
Chapter 2	Explains concepts, operations, and techniques related to content-based retrieval.
Chapter 3	Provides basic examples of using Visual Information Retrieval Cartridge types and methods.
Chapter 4	Provides reference information on Visual Information Retrieval object data types, procedures, and operators.
Appendix A	Describes the supported image data formats.
Appendix B	Describes how to run the sample application and includes a source listing of that program.
Appendix C	Emphasizes several entries from the online FAQ.
Appendix D	Lists potential errors, their causes, and user actions to correct them.
Glossary	Defines important terms related to data cartridges and image information retrieval.

Related Documents

For more information about using this data cartridge in a development environment, see the following documents in the Release 8.0 Oracle Server documentation set:

• Oracle Call Interface Programmer's Guide
• Oracle8 Application Developers Guide
• Oracle8 Concepts
• PL/SQL User's Guide and Reference

For information about the Oracle8 Image Cartridge, see the Oracle8 Image Cartridge User's Guide.

Visual Information Retrieval Cartridge is based on technology licensed from Virage, Inc. Visit the Virage web site for additional information about this ongoing relationship: http://www.virage.com/oracle.

Conventions

In this guide, Oracle8 Visual Information Retrieval Cartridge is sometimes referred to as Visual Information Retrieval Cartridge. Oracle Corporation's Network Computing Architecture is referred to as "the architecture."

In examples, an implied carriage return occurs at the end of each line, unless otherwise noted. You must press the Return key at the end of a line of input.

Convention	Meaning
. . .	Vertical ellipsis points in an example mean that information not directly related to the example has been omitted.
. . .	Horizontal ellipsis points in statements or commands mean that parts of the statement or command not directly related to the example have been omitted.
boldface text	Boldface type in text indicates a term defined in the text, the glossary, or in both locations.
italic text	Italic text is used for emphasis and for book titles.
< >	Angle brackets enclose user-supplied names.
[ ]	Brackets enclose optional clauses from which you can choose one or none.

The following conventions are also used in this guide:

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