Oracle Spatial is changing the way spatial information is used in organizations. This book addresses: (1) the special nature of spatial data and its role in professional and consumer applications, (2) the issues in spatial data management such as modeling, storing, accessing, and analyzing spatial data; (3) the Oracle Spatial solution and the integration of spatial data into enterprise databases; and (4) how spatial information is used to understand business and support decisions, to manage customer relations, and to better serve private and corporate users.
Ravi Kothuri holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has been an active researcher and developer in the spatial and multimedia areas for the past 12 years. He serves as the project lead and software architect for various projects in Oracle Spatial. He has around 15 patents (some pending) on specific Oracle technology and has authored numerous articles for database conferences and journals. Other activities include teaching database courses for undergrads and reviewing of research articles for spatial and database conferences. Ravi enjoys music, movies, and playing with children.