Yes, it was in 8.1.5 on NT. It is a character based utility to browse (and if necessary edit) the contents of Oracle data blocks symbolically. Because the data structures involved are fairly complex and inter-related, it would be very difficult to diagnose and fix corruptions using just a hex editor. So BBED is a potentially significant recovery utility.

Of course, it is not intended for users to play with as a way of learning more about Oracle data block internals. To that end it is protected by a password known only to trained Oracle support people. It does have a HELP facility, but that is only enough to remind users of the syntax. Anyone who does not already understand the data structures and their relationships, and who has not been trained in the use of BBED would hard pressed to make any use of it.

Do you have any interest in Oracle's BBED editor? I'm wondering if you are aware that it was included in 8.1.6+ Oracle on NT and Unix? (I'm not sure if it was in 8.1.5, I need to look).