Oracle Database Exploration.

md 2024-02-11

Oracle Database Exploration

In Oracle Database, exploring various components and files is essential for effective administration and
troubleshooting.

1. Getting Information about Background Processes

Background processes in Oracle Database perform various administrative and maintenance tasks. To get
information about background processes:

Commands

SELECT * FROM v$bgprocess;

# Linux Commands to Check Oracle Background Processes

ps -ef | grep ora_ | grep -v grep

Explanation

The SQL query retrieves information about background processes from the dynamic view
v$bgprocess.
The Linux commands ps -ef | grep ora_ | grep -v grep list all processes related to Oracle by
filtering out the lines containing ora_ and excluding the grep command itself.

2. Getting Information about Memory Buffers

Memory buffers in Oracle Database play a crucial role in data caching and processing. To retrieve information
about memory buffers:

Command

SELECT * FROM v$buffer_pool;

Explanation

The SQL query fetches details about memory buffers, including buffer pool names, sizes, and usage statistics,
from the dynamic view v$buffer_pool.

3. Exploring Data Files, Redo Log Files & Archived Redo Log Files
Data files store database data, redo log files record changes, and archived redo log files store archived redo
log data. To explore these files:

1/5
Oracle Database Exploration.md 2024-02-11

Commands

-- Data Files
SELECT * FROM dba_data_files;

# Linux Command to List Data File Locations

ls -l /u01/app/oracle/oradata/*.dbf

Explanation

The SQL query retrieves information about data files from the data dictionary view dba_data_files.
The Linux command lists the locations of data files with a .dbf extension.

Commands

-- Redo Log Files

SELECT * FROM v$log;

# Linux Command to List Redo Log File Locations

ls -l /u01/app/oracle/oradata/*.log

Explanation

The SQL query fetches details about redo log files from the dynamic view v$log.
The Linux command lists the locations of redo log files.

Commands

-- Archived Redo Log Files

SELECT * FROM v$archived_log;

# Linux Command to List Archived Redo Log File Locations

ls -l /u01/app/oracle/archivelog/*.arc

Explanation

The SQL query provides information about archived redo log files from the dynamic view
v$archived_log.
The Linux command lists the locations of archived redo log files with a .arc extension.
2/5
Oracle Database Exploration.md 2024-02-11

4. Exploring Initialization Parameter Files & Password Files

Initialization parameter files and password files contain critical configuration and security settings. To explore
their default locations:

Commands

-- Initialization Parameter Files

SHOW PARAMETER pfile;

# Linux Command to Display Initialization Parameter File Location

cat /u01/app/oracle/product/19.0.0/dbhome_1/dbs/initORCL.ora

Explanation

The SQL command displays the location of the initialization parameter file (pfile).
The Linux command shows the contents of the initialization parameter file, which typically resides in the
$ORACLE_HOME/dbs directory.

Commands

-- Password File
SHOW PARAMETER remote_login_passwordfile;

# Linux Command to Display Password File Location

ls -l $ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orapw*

Explanation

The SQL command shows the type and location of the password file used for remote login
authentication.
The Linux command lists the location of the password file, which typically starts with orapw and resides
in the $ORACLE_HOME/dbs directory.

5. Exploring Archived Redo Log Files & Backup Files

Archived redo log files and backup files are crucial for database recovery and backup operations. To explore
these files:

Commands

3/5
Oracle Database Exploration.md 2024-02-11

-- Archived Redo Log Files

SELECT * FROM v$archived_log;

# Linux Command to List Archived Redo Log File Locations

ls -l /u01/app/oracle/archivelog/*.arc

Explanation

The SQL query retrieves information about archived redo log files from the dynamic view
v$archived_log.
The Linux command lists the locations of archived redo log files with a .arc extension.

Commands

-- Backup Files
SELECT * FROM v$backup;

# Linux Command to List Backup File Locations

ls -l /u01/app/oracle/backup/*.bkp

Explanation

The SQL query fetches details about backup files from the dynamic view v$backup.
The Linux command lists the locations of backup files.

6. Exploring Log & Trace Files

Log and trace files contain valuable diagnostic information for troubleshooting database issues. To explore
these files:

Commands

-- Alert Log
SELECT * FROM v$diag_info WHERE name = 'Diag Alert';

# Linux Command to Display Alert Log Location

ls -l $ORACLE_BASE/diag/rdbms/orcl/ORCL/trace/alert_ORCL.log

Explanation
4/5
Oracle Database Exploration.md 2024-02-11

The SQL command retrieves the location of the alert log, which contains important messages and
errors.
The Linux command displays the location of the alert log file.

Commands

-- Trace Files
SELECT * FROM v$diag_info WHERE name = 'Diag Trace';

# Linux Command to Display Trace File Location

ls -l $ORACLE_BASE/diag/rdbms/orcl/ORCL/trace/*.trc

Explanation

The SQL command fetches the location of trace files, which capture detailed diagnostic information for
troubleshooting.
The Linux command lists the locations of trace files with a .trc extension in the
$ORACLE_BASE/diag/rdbms/orcl/ORCL/trace directory.

By utilizing these commands and exploring various components and files, database administrators can
effectively manage and maintain Oracle Database environments.

5/5