Oracle Database Express(XE) Edition

Oracle XE is very similar to SQL Server Desktop edition.
Oracle finally made a product like SQL Server Desktop Edition for simple installation and running on a single machine. It can be installed on Windows XP.
Developers who want to use Oracle can setup their machines and work on it independently.

But of course there are some limitations.And I think they don't prevent development.

• Can host only one instance on installed pc.
• Max. db size is 4GB.
• Can run with only one processor(but can be installed on a multiple CPU machine).
• Can be installed on a server with any amount of memory, but will use only up to 1 GB of available RAM memory.

It is fairly easy to setup.It can be downloaded from Oracle site.Its size is very small. 157 MB for Windows.

You can download Oracle 10g Express(XE) Edition from this link: http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/xe/index.html

You may check Oracle Express Edition Installation Guide from:

http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/B25329_01/doc/install.102/b25143/toc.htm

After installation you should make some settings.

Add this line to tns.ora file in C:\oracle\product\11.1.0\client_1\Network\Admin\tnsnames.ora

If file doesn't exist create first.

XE =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = localhost)(PORT = 1521))
(CONNECT_DATA =
(SERVER = XE)
(SERVICE_NAME = XE)
)
)

You may check this article for Oracle XE Setup.

http://www.oraclekonsulent.dk/en/index.php?blog_id=13

Good Luck!!!