Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$ 221,364	$ 237,063	$ 167,681
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization and depreciation	128,550	101,201	101,453
Stock compensation	56,414	59,988	56,934
Allowance for doubtful accounts	1,058	(899)	2,461
Write-down of long-term investments	999	468	7,158
Gain on sale of investments	(936)	(3,995)	(716)
Deferred income taxes	22,278	38,356	25,942
In-process research and development			2,200
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(18,974)	(16,202)	22,830
Prepaid and other current assets	(13,445)	4,638	11,416
Other long-term assets	(4,248)	(5,923)	(12,248)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(7,408)	10,566	(28,206)
Income taxes	(58,377)	(94,052)	(21,140)
Deferred revenue	113,041	9,827	(96,606)
Net cash provided by operating activities	440,316	341,036	239,159
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments	136,983	547,686	290,709
Purchases of short-term investments	(127,385)	(243,515)	(386,431)
Proceeds from sales of long-term investments	2,828
Purchases of long-term investments			(771)
Purchases of property and equipment	(57,345)	(39,223)	(39,199)
Cash paid for acquisitions and intangible assets, net of cash acquired	(41,015)	(500,829)	(53,358)
Capitalization of software development costs	(2,885)	(2,852)	(2,852)
Net cash used in investing activities	(88,819)	(238,733)	(191,902)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital leases	(4,628)	(3,692)	(2,212)
Proceeds from credit facilities			1,279
Payments on credit facilities			(1,533)
Issuances of common stock	162,180	145,329	71,918
Purchase of equity forward contract	(33,335)
Purchases of treasury stock	(401,836)	(184,699)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(277,619)	(43,062)	69,452
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	5,792	14,553	7,272
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	79,670	73,794	123,981
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	775,407	701,613	577,632
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	855,077	775,407	701,613
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for income taxes during the year:	$ 36,577	$ 18,673	$ 59,904

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Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).