Database to gain tighter links to Visual Studio Microsoft and Oracle on Thursday announced an agreement intended to result in tighter integration between the Oracle database and the Microsoft Visual Studio .Net 2003 development platform.Through the arrangement, Oracle will participate in the Microsoft Visual Studio Industry Partner (VSIP) program as a Premier-level partner. Oracle through its participation purportedly will increase developer productivity and ease of deployment of Oracle-based applications on the Windows platform.Additionally, Oracle plans to offer a download for integration with Visual Studio .Net 2003 from the Oracle Technology Network Web site later in 2004. There are currently more than 200 participants in the VSIP program, the companies said. Software Development