Re: Releasing an Oracle PL/SQL Web Toolkit application under the GPL

On Fri, 31 Aug 2001, Mark Rittman wrote:
> Folks,
>
> I've developed a discussion board application that runs on the Oracle 8.1.7.
> Databaseand uses the Oracle PL/SQL toolkit and the Apache HTTP Server. I've
> had good feedback about it so far, and i'd like to release the sourcecode
> under the GPL.
>
> If you aren't aware of it, the GPL (more details at
> http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html) basically allows redistribution of the
> code, changes to be made to it, and so on (i.e. the program is Open Source),
> with no warranty or guarantee.
>
> Has anyone else done this? Can you release a program (a series of packages)
> via the GPL, where the system it depends upon (Oracle) is closed-source,
> proprietary software? Or does its reliance on Oracle mean it cannot be free
> software?

It can be GPLed, more's the pity. See Steve Feuerstein's excellent utPLSQL kit for an example.

-f

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austin ziegler   * Ni bhionn an rath ach mar a mbionn an smacht
Toronto.ON.ca    * (There is no Luck without Discipline)
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