Contents

Preface

Introduction

1 Oracle Architectural Components

Objectives 1-2
Overview of Primary Components 1-3
Oracle Server 1-5
Oracle Instance 1-6
Establishing a Connection and Creating a Session 1-7
Oracle Database 1-9
Physical Structure 1-10
Memory Structure 1-11
System Global Area 1-12
Shared Pool 1-15
Library Cache 1-16
Data Dictionary Cache 1-17
Database Buffer Cache 1-18
Redo Log Buffer 1-21
Large Pool 1-22
Java Pool 1-24
Program Global Area 1-25
Process Structure 1-28
User Process 1-29
Server Process 1-30
Background Processes 1-31
Database Writer (DBWn) 1-32
Log Writer (LGWR) 1-33
System Monitor (SMON) 1-34
Process Monitor (PMON) 1-35
Checkpoint (CKPT) 1-36
Archiver (ARCn) 1-37
Logical Structure 1-39
Processing SQL Statements 1-42
Summary 1-44
Practice 1 Overview 1-45

2 Getting Started with the Oracle Server

Objectives 2-2
Database Administration Tools 2-3
Oracle Universal Installer 2-4
Starting the Universal Installer 2-5
Non-Interactive Installation Using Response Files 2-6
Oracle Database Configuration Assistant 2-9
Database Administrator Users 2-10
SQL*Plus 2-12
Oracle Enterprise Manager 2-13

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 Oracle Enterprise Manager: Architecture 2-14
Console 2-16
Summary 2-18
Practice 2 Overview 2-19

3 Managing an Oracle Instance

Objectives 3-2
Initialization Parameter Files 3-3
PFILE initSID.ora 3-6
Creating a PFILE 3-7
PFILE Example 3-8
SPFILE spfileSID.ora 3-9
Creating an SPFILE 3-10
SPFILE Example 3-13
Modifying Parameters in SPFILE 3-14
STARTUP Command Behavior 3-17
Starting Up a Database NOMOUNT 3-19
Starting Up a Database MOUNT 3-20
Starting Up a Database OPEN 3-21
STARTUP Command 3-22
ALTER DATABASE Command 3-25
Opening a Database in Restricted Mode 3-26
Opening a Database in Read-Only Mode 3-29
Shutting Down the Database 3-31
Shutdown Options 3-32
Monitoring an Instance Using Diagnostic Files 3-36
Alert Log File 3-37
Background Trace Files 3-39
User Trace Files 3-40
Enabling or Disabling User Tracing 3-41
Summary 3-43
Practice 3 Overview 3-44

2 Creating a Database
Objectives 4-2
Planning and Organizing a Database 4-3
Optimal Flexible Architecture (OFA) 4-4
Oracle Software and File Locations 4-5
Creation Prerequisites 4-6
Authentication Methods for Database Administrators 4-7
Using Password File Authentication 4-8

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 Creating a Database 4-10
Operating System Environment 4-11
Database Configuration Assistant 4-12
Creating a Database Using Database Configuration Assistant 4-13
Creating a Database Manually 4-16
Creating a Database Using Oracle Managed Files (OMF) 4-19
CREATE DATABASE Command 4-23
Troubleshooting 4-26
After Database Creation 4-27
Summary 4-28
Practice 4 Overview 4-29

5 Using Data Dictionary and Dynamic Performance Views

Objectives 5-2
Built-In Database Objects 5-3
Data Dictionary 5-4
Base Tables and Data Dictionary Views 5-5
Creating Data Dictionary Views 5-6
Data Dictionary Contents 5-7
How the Data Dictionary Is Used 5-8
Data Dictionary View Categories 5-9
Data Dictionary Examples 5-11
Dynamic Performance Tables 5-12
Dynamic Performance Examples 5-13
Administrative Script Naming Conventions 5-15
Summary 5-17
Practice 5 Overview 5-18

2 Maintaining the Control File

Objectives 6-2
Control File 6-3
Control File Contents 6-5
Multiplexing the Control File 6-7
Multiplexing the Control File When Using SPFILE 6-8
Multiplexing the Control File When Using PFILE 6-9
Managing Control Files with OMF 6-10
Obtaining Control File Information 6-11
Summary 6-14
Practice 6 Overview 6-15

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7 Maintaining Online Redo Log Files
Objectives 7-2
Using Online Redo Log Files 7-3
Structure of Online Redo Log Files 7-4
How Online Redo Log Files Work 7-6
Forcing Log Switches and Checkpoints 7-8
Adding Online Redo Log File Groups 7-9
Adding Online Redo Log File Members 7-10
Dropping Online Redo Log File Groups 7-12
Dropping Online Redo Log File Members 7-13
Relocating or Renaming Online Redo Log Files 7-15
Clearing Online Redo Log Files 7-17
Online Redo Log File Configuration 7-18
Managing Online Redo Log Files with OMF 7-20
Obtaining Group and Member Information 7-21
Archived Redo Log Files 7-23
Summary 7-27
Practice 7 Overview 7-28

8 Managing Tablespaces and Data Files

Objectives 8-2
Tablespaces and Data Files 8-3
Types of Tablespaces 8-4
Creating Tablespaces 8-5
Space Management in Tablespaces 8-9
Locally Managed Tablespaces 8-10
Dictionary-Managed Tablespaces 8-12
Migrating a Dictionary-Managed SYSTEM Tablespace 8-13
Undo Tablespace 8-14
Temporary Tablespaces 8-15
Default Temporary Tablespace 8-18
Creating a Default Temporary Tablespace 8-19
Restrictions on Default Temporary Tablespace 8-22
Read-Only Tablespaces 8-23
Taking a Tablespace Offline 8-26
Changing Storage Settings 8-29
Resizing a Tablespace 8-31
Enabling Automatic Extension of Data Files 8-33
Manually Resizing a Data File 8-36
Adding Data Files to a Tablespace 8-37

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 Methods for Moving Data Files 8-39
Dropping Tablespaces 8-42
Managing Tablespaces Using OMF 8-45
Obtaining Tablespace Information 8-47
Summary 8-48
Practice 8 Overview 8-49

9 Storage Structure and Relationships

Objectives 9-2
Storage and Relationship Structure 9-3
Types of Segments 9-4
Storage Clause Precedence 9-8
Extent Allocation and Deallocation 9-9
Used and Free Extents 9-10
Database Block 9-11
Multiple Block Size Support 9-12
Standard Block Size 9-13
Nonstandard Block Size 9-15
Creating Nonstandard Block Size Tablespaces 9-17
Multiple Block Sizing Rules 9-19
Database Block Contents 9-20
Block Space Utilization Parameters 9-21
Data Block Management 9-23
Automatic Segment-Space Management 9-24
Configuring Automatic Segment-Space Management 9-26
Manual Data Block Management 9-27
Block Space Usage 9-28
Obtaining Storage Information 9-29
Summary 9-32
Practice 9 Overview 9-33

10 Managing Undo Data

Objectives 10-2
Managing Undo Data 10-3
Undo Segment 10-4
Undo Segments: Purpose 10-5
Read Consistency 10-6
Types of Undo Segments 10-7
Automatic Undo Management: Concepts 10-9

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 Automatic Undo Management: Configuration 10-10
Automatic Undo Management: Initialization Parameters 10-11
Automatic Undo Management: UNDO Tablespace 10-12
Automatic Undo Management: Altering an UNDO Tablespace 10-14
Automatic Undo Management: Switching UNDO Tablespaces 10-16
Automatic Undo Management: Dropping an UNDO Tablespace 10-18
Automatic Undo Management: Other Parameters 10-21
Undo Data Statistics 10-23
Automatic Undo Management: Sizing an UNDO Tablespace 10-24
Automatic Undo Management: Undo Quota 10-26
Obtaining Undo Segment Information 10-27
Summary 10-29
Practice 10 Overview 10-30

11 Managing Tables
Objectives 11-2
Storing User Data 11-3
Oracle Built-in Data Types 11-6
ROWID Format 11-10
Structure of a Row 11-12
Creating a Table 11-13
Creating a Table: Guidelines 11-17
Creating Temporary Tables 11-18
Setting PCTFREE and PCTUSED 11-19
Row Migration and Chaining 11-20
Changing Storage and Block Utilization Parameters 11-21
Manually Allocating Extents 11-24
Nonpartitioned Table Reorganization 11-25
Truncating a Table 11-26
Dropping a Table 11-27
Dropping a Column 11-29
Renaming a Column 11-31
Using the UNUSED Option 11-33
Obtaining Table Information 11-35
Summary 11-37
Practice 11 Overview 11-38

12 Managing Indexes
Objectives 12-2
Classification of Indexes 12-3
B-Tree Index 12-5

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 Bitmap Indexes 12-7
Comparing B-Tree and Bitmap Indexes 12-9
Creating B-Tree Indexes 12-10
Creating Indexes: Guidelines 12-13
Creating Bitmap Indexes 12-15
Changing Storage Parameters for Indexes 12-18
Allocating and Deallocating Index Space 12-20
Rebuilding Indexes 12-21
Rebuilding Indexes Online 12-23
Coalescing Indexes 12-24
Checking Index Validity 12-25
Dropping Indexes 12-27
Identifying Unused Indexes 12-29
Obtaining Index Information 12-30
Summary 12-31
Practice 12 Overview 12-32

1 Maintaining Data Integrity

Objectives 13-2
Data Integrity 13-3
Types of Constraints 13-5
Constraint States 13-6
Constraint Checking 13-8
Defining Constraints Immediate or Deferred 13-9
Primary and Unique Key Enforcement 13-10
Foreign Key Considerations 13-11
Defining Constraints While Creating a Table 13-13
Guidelines for Defining Constraints 13-17
Enabling Constraints 13-18
Renaming Constraints 13-23
Using the EXCEPTIONS Table 13-25
Obtaining Constraint Information 13-28
Summary 13-31
Practice 13 Overview 13-32

2 Managing Password Security and Resources

Objectives 14-2
Profiles 14-3
Password Management 14-5
Enabling Password Management 14-6
Password Account Locking 14-7
Password Expiration and Aging 14-8
Password History 14-9

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 Password Verification 14-10
User-Provided Password Function 14-11
Password Verification Function VERIFY_FUNCTION 14-12
Creating a Profile: Password Settings 14-13
Altering a Profile: Password Setting 14-17
Dropping a Profile: Password Setting 14-19
Resource Management 14-21
Enabling Resource Limits 14-22
Setting Resource Limits at Session Level 14-23
Setting Resource Limits at Call Level 14-24
Creating a Profile: Resource Limit 14-25
Managing Resources Using the Database Resource Manager 14-28
Resource Plan Directives 14-31
Obtaining Password and Resource Limit Information 14-33
Summary 14-35
Practice 14 Overview 14-36

1 Managing Users
Objectives 15-2
Users and Security 15-3
Database Schema 15-5
Checklist for Creating Users 15-6
Creating a New User: Database Authentication 15-7
Creating a New User: Operating System Authentication 15-10
Changing User Quota on Tablespaces 15-12
Dropping a User 15-14
Obtaining User Information 15-16
Summary 15-17
Practice 15 Overview 15-18

2 Managing Privileges
Objectives 16-2
Managing Privileges 16-3
System Privileges 16-4
System Privileges: Examples 16-5
Granting System Privileges 16-6
SYSDBA and SYSOPER Privileges 16-9
System Privilege Restrictions 16-10
Revoking System Privileges 16-11
Revoking System Privileges with the ADMIN OPTION 16-13
Object Privileges 16-14
Granting Object Privileges 16-15
Revoking Object Privileges 16-18
Revoking Object Privileges with GRANT OPTION 16-21

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 Obtaining Privileges Information 16-22
Summary 16-23
Practice 16 Overview 16-24

1 Managing Roles
Objectives 17-2
Roles 17-3
Benefits of Roles 17-4
Creating Roles 17-5
Predefined Roles 17-7
Modifying Roles 17-8
Assigning Roles 17-10
Establishing Default Roles 17-13
Application Roles 17-15
Enabling and Disabling Roles 17-16
Revoking Roles from Users 17-19
Removing Roles 17-21
Guidelines for Creating Roles 17-23
Guidelines for Using Passwords and Default Roles 17-24
Obtaining Role Information 17-25
Summary 17-26
Practice 17 Overview 17-27

2 Auditing
Objectives 18-2
Auditing 18-3
Auditing Guidelines 18-4
Auditing Categories 18-6
Database Auditing 18-8
Auditing Options 18-10
Auditing User SYS 18-12
Obtaining Auditing Information 18-13
Obtaining Audit Records Information 18-14
Summary 18-15
Practice 18 Overview 18-16

3 Loading Data into a Database

Objectives 19-2
Data Loading Methods 19-3
Direct Load 19-4
Serial Direct Load 19-6
Parallel Direct Load 19-7
SQL*Loader 19-9
Using SQL*Loader 19-11

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 SQL*Loader Control File 19-13
Control File Syntax Considerations 19-17
Input Data and Data Files 19-18
Logical Records 19-22
Loading Methods 19-23
Comparing Direct and Conventional Path Loads 19-26
Parallel Direct Path Load 9-28
Data Conversion 19-29
Discarded or Rejected Records 19-30
Log File Contents 19-34
SQL*Loader Guidelines 19-36
Summary 19-37
Practice 19 Overview 19-38

1 Using Globalization Support

Objectives 20-2
Globalization Support Features 20-3
Encoding Schemes 20-5
Database Character Sets and National Character Sets 20-8
Guidelines for Choosing an Oracle Database Character Set 20-9
Guidelines for Choosing an Oracle National Character Set 20-11
Choosing a Unicode Solution:Unicode Database 20-12
Choosing a Unicode Solution:Unicode Data Type 20-13
Specifying Language-Dependent Behavior 20-15
Specifying Language-Dependent Behavior for the Server 20-16
Dependent Language and Territory Default Values 20-17
Specifying Language-Dependent Behavior for the Session 20-19
Linguistic Sorting 20-23
NLS Sorting 20-24
Using NLS Parameters in SQL Functions 20-27
Linguistic Index Support 20-31
Import and Loading Data Using NLS 20-32
Using NLS Parameters in SQL Functions 20-33
Obtaining Character Set Information 20-34
Obtaining NLS Settings Information 20-35
Summary 20-39
Practice 20 Overview 20-40

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Appendix A: How to Create an Oracle9i Database in a UNIX Environment

Appendix B: Manually Managing Undo Data (Rollback Segments)

Appendix C: Practice Solutions for SQL*Plus

Appendix D: Practice Solutions for Oracle Enterprise Manager

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