Summary of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Cost	$ 712,126		$ 1,007,909
Cost	11,700
Gross Unrealized Gains			296
Gross Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months			(149)
Gross Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer
Estimated Fair Value	712,126	[1]	1,008,056	[1]
Non-interest bearing cash (U.S. and International)
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Cost	167,161		149,998
Gross Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer
Estimated Fair Value	167,161	[1]	149,998	[1]
Money Market Funds (U.S.)
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Cost	155,000		55,267
Gross Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer
Estimated Fair Value	155,000	[1]	55,267	[1]
Cash Deposits And Money Market Funds (International)
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Cost	378,221		649,812
Gross Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer
Estimated Fair Value	378,221	[1]	649,812	[1]
Municipal securities
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Cost			148,850
Gross Unrealized Gains			296
Gross Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months			(149)
Gross Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer
Estimated Fair Value			148,997	[1]
Classified As Current Assets, Total
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Cost	700,382		1,003,927
Gross Unrealized Gains			296
Gross Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months			(149)
Gross Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer
Estimated Fair Value	700,382	[1]	1,004,074	[1]
Strategic Investments
Financial Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Cost	11,744		3,982
Gross Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer
Estimated Fair Value	$ 11,744	[1]	$ 3,982	[1]

[1] See Note 6 for further discussion on fair values of money market funds, municipal securities, and strategic investments.