This file describes the Oracle SQL Class Library and how to install it.

1. Short Description
====================

The Oracle SQL Class Library (OSCL), Version 1.0, provides programming
interface to the Oracle Server 7.x. It comprises of a set of C++
classes based on the Oracle Call Interface (OCI). The library is
intended for database application developers on MS Windows and Unix
platforms. The library was tested with the following compilers:

  - Visual C++ 1.5 and higher, MS-Windows;
  - Borland C++ 4.0 and higher, MS-Windows;
  - GNU C++ 2.4.5 and higher, SCO Unix, AIX RS/6000;
  - IBM C++ for (xlC) 1.02 and higher, AIX RS/6000;

1.1. The library structure
==========================

  - Low level interface classes (C++/Oracle Call Interface driver);

  - C++ macros for static embedding SQL and PL/SQL statements into a
    program;

  - Stream classes for SQL and PL/SQL operations;

  - Exception handling, a mechanism of raising and handling exceptions
    from Oracle operations; 

  - SQL pipe (for Unix only); encapsulates all Oracle runtime
    libraries in one Unix program and provides programming interface
    to the program, which obviates the need to link Oracle libraries
    into database applications;

2. The library distribution status
==================================

The library  is FreeWare:

    Copyright (c) 1995 Mosakin Corporation.  
    Permission to use, copy, modify and redistribute the Oracle SQL
    class library for any purpose is hereby granted without fee,
    provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies.

3. Installation  
===============

The OSCL library is the software which is supposed to work on both
MS-Windows and Unix. The installation procedure depends on the
platform and is obvious from the comments to the file list (see
below).

  File list
  =========

  oscl.C       This C++ module contains implementation of all the
 (oscl.cpp)    classes. Compile it into an object file and make a
               library (the OSCL object library).  Include oscl.h into
               a database application and link the application with
               the library you made and with Oracle libraries which
               are necessary for an OCI application.
  
  oscl.h       Main header file

  oscl_def.h   Macro definitions
  oscl_idf.h   Internal stuff

  oscl_str.h   SQL Stream classes
	       
  sql_req.h    The C++ SQL pipe requestor.  Include sql_req.h into a
  sql_req.C    client program and link sql_req.o with the client main
 (sql_req.cpp) module.

  csql_req.h   The C SQL pipe requestor. Include csql_req.h into a
  csql_req.c   client program and link csql_req.o with the client main
               module.

   sqlpipe.h    the SQL pipe program.  It is a stand alone Unix
   sqlpipe.C	application.  Compile sqlpipe.C into the object file,
 (sqlpipe.cpp)	link it with the OSCL object library and with Oracle
		libraries which are needed for an OCI application.
		Name the executable "sqlpipe" and put it into a
		directory from the Unix "PATH".

  intro.ps      Short Introduction.

  getstart.ps   Getting Started.

  oscl.ps       Programmer's Guide.


You will also need the following header files from the
$ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/demo directory:

  ociapr.h
  ocidfn.h
  oratypes.h

and Oracle runtime libraries.


4. How to contact the author
============================

Sergei Kuchin
email: kuchin@empros.com
       kuchin@mosakin.com
