Oracle Parallel Processing

Chapter 1. Introduction

Parallel processing is becoming increasingly important in the world of database computing. These days, databases often grow to enormous sizes and are accessed by larger and larger numbers of users. This growth strains the ability of single-processor and single-computer systems to handle the load. More and more organizations are turning to parallel processing technologies to give them the performance, scalability, and reliability they need. Oracle Corporation is a leader in providing parallel processing technologies in a wide range of products. This chapter provides an overview of parallel processing in general and also describes how parallel processing features are implemented in an Oracle environment.

About Parallel Processing

Parallel processing involves taking a large task, dividing it into several smaller tasks, and then working on each of those smaller tasks simultaneously. The goal of this divide-and-conquer approach is to complete the larger task in less time than it would have taken to do it in one large chunk.

Your local grocery store provides a good, real-life analogy to parallel processing. Your grocer must collect money from customers for the groceries they purchase. He could install just one checkout stand, with one cash register, and force everyone to go through the same line. However, the line would move slowly, people would get fidgety, and some would go elsewhere to shop. To speed up the process, your grocer doubtless uses several checkout ...