
However, SQL *PLUS is an Oracle-specific program that executes SQL commands using PL/SQL blocks.ġ1. It is a Non-Procedural Programming Language and a Standard Language for Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). Explain the difference between SQL and SQL PLUS?Īnswer: SQL represents Structured Query Language and is used to manage the database. These are especially useful for the WHEN OTHERS exception.ġ0. They can be used in exception handling to report, or, store in an error log table, the error that occurred in the code. The SQLERRM returns the actual error message for the last error encountered. What are SQLCODE and SQLERRM and why are they important for PL/SQL developers?Īnswer: Expected answer: SQLCODE returns the value of the error number for the last error encountered. How would you go about bringing up this database?Īnswer: I would create a text-based backup control file, stipulating where on disk all the data files where and then issue the recover command with the using backup control file clause.ĩ. You have just had to restore from backup and do not have any control files. If a change was necessary then I would use the alter system set db_cache_size command.Ĩ. How would you go about increasing the buffer cache hit ratio?Īnswer: Use the buffer cache advisory over a given workload and then query the v$db_cache_advice table. A package, on the other hand, is a collection of functions and procedures that are grouped together based on their commonality to a business function or application.ħ. While a procedure does not have to return any values to the calling application, a function will return a single value. Explain the difference between a FUNCTION, PROCEDURE, and PACKAGE?Īnswer: A function and procedure are the same in that they are intended to be a collection of PL/SQL code that carries a single task.

Netstat reports on the contents of network data structures.Ħ. Vmstat reports on virtual memory statistics for processes, disk, tape, and CPU activity. ( e Learning Portal)Īnswer: Iostat reports on the terminal, disk, and tape I/O activity. The difference is that the import utility relies on the data being produced by another Oracle utility EXPORT while the SQL*Loader utility allows data to be loaded that has been produced by other utilities from different data sources just so long as it conforms to ASCII formatted or delimited files. What is the difference between the SQL*Loader and IMPORT utilities?Īnswer: These two Oracle utilities are used for loading data into the database. What is the difference between a TEMPORARY tablespace and a PERMANENT tablespace?Īnswer: A temporary tablespace is used for temporary objects such as sort structures while permanent tablespaces are used to store those objects meant to be used as the true objects of the database.Ĥ. If they include the SQL routines provided by Oracle, great, but not really what was asked.ģ. If they can mention a few of these and describe how they used them, even better. There are many which developers should be aware of such as DBMS_SQL, DBMS_PIPE, DBMS_TRANSACTION, DBMS_LOCK, DBMS_ALERT, DBMS_OUTPUT, DBMS_JOB, DBMS_UTILITY, DBMS_DDL, UTL_FILE. What packages (if any) has Oracle provided for use by developers?Īnswer: Level: Intermediate to high Expected answer: Oracle provides the DBMS_ series of packages. In addition, since you are taking cold backups the database does not require being in archive log mode and thus there will be a slight performance gain as the database is not cutting archive logs to disk.Ģ. The benefit of taking a cold backup is that it is typically easier to administer the backup and recovery process.


The benefit of taking a hot backup is that the database is still available for use while the backup is occurring and you can recover the database to any point in time.

A cold backup is taking a backup of the database while it is shut down and does not require being in archive log mode. Explain the difference between a hot backup and a cold backup and the benefits associated with each?Īnswer: A hot backup is basically taking a backup of the database while it is still up and running and it must be in archive log mode.
