This book shows readers how to use the increasingly powerful features that are built into the Oracle database for storing and analyzing location-based data. Targeted at designers and programmers of geographic information systems, Pro Oracle Spatial for Oracle Database 11g attacks the increasingly important intersection of Oracle and spatial data. The authors are key players on the team that develops the Oracle Spatial feature set. Ravi Kothuri is a member of Oracle's Spatial development team. Albert Godfrind consults widely with Oracle clients on the implementation of Oracle Spatial, develops training courses, and presents frequently at conferences. Together they have crafted a technically sound and authoritative fountain of information on working with spatial data in the Oracle database.
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.