Preface

This guide provides instructions about installing and configuring Oracle Database Client for both Microsoft Windows (32-Bit) and Microsoft Windows (x64). Only the features of Oracle Database for Microsoft Windows (32-bit) and Microsoft Windows (x64) software installed on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64), and Windows 7 are discussed in this guide.

This preface contains these topics:

• Audience

• Documentation Accessibility

• Related Documentation

• Conventions

Audience

Oracle Database Client Installation Guide for Microsoft Windows is intended for anyone installing an Oracle Database Client.

To use this document, you need the following:

• A supported Microsoft Windows operating system installed and tested on your computer system

• Administrative privileges on the computer where you are installing Oracle Database Client

• Familiarity with object-relational database management concepts

Documentation Accessibility

Our goal is to make Oracle products, services, and supporting documentation accessible to all users, including users that are disabled. To that end, our documentation includes features that make information available to users of assistive technology. This documentation is available in HTML format, and contains markup to facilitate access by the disabled community. Accessibility standards will continue to evolve over time, and Oracle is actively engaged with other market-leading technology vendors to address technical obstacles so that our documentation can be accessible to all of our customers. For more information, visit the Oracle Accessibility Program Web site at http://www.oracle.com/accessibility/.

Accessibility of Code Examples in Documentation

Screen readers may not always correctly read the code examples in this document. The conventions for writing code require that closing braces should appear on an otherwise empty line; however, some screen readers may not always read a line of text that consists solely of a bracket or brace.

Accessibility of Links to External Web Sites in Documentation

This documentation may contain links to Web sites of other companies or organizations that Oracle does not own or control. Oracle neither evaluates nor makes any representations regarding the accessibility of these Web sites.

Access to Oracle Support

Oracle customers have access to electronic support through My Oracle Support. For information, visit http://www.oracle.com/support/contact.html or visit http://www.oracle.com/accessibility/support.html if you are hearing impaired.

Related Documentation

For more information, see these Oracle resources:

• Oracle Database Release Notes for Microsoft Windows

• Oracle Database Installation Guide for Microsoft Windows

• Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control Installation and Basic Configuration

• Oracle Database Upgrade Guide

• Oracle Database Platform Guide for Microsoft Windows

• Oracle Database 2 Day DBA

Many of the examples in this book use the sample schemas, which are installed by default when you select the Basic Installation option with an Oracle Database installation. Refer to Oracle Database Sample Schemas for information on how these schemas were created and how you can use them yourself.

To download free release notes, installation documentation, white papers, or other collateral, please visit the Oracle Technology Network (OTN). You must register online before using OTN; registration is free and can be done at

http://www.oracle.com/technology/membership/

If you already have a username and password for OTN, then you can go directly to the documentation section of the OTN Web site at

http://www.oracle.com/technology/documentation/

Conventions

The following text conventions are used in this document: