Oracle Database FAQs

Question: I am new to Oracle. What should I do first to get started
Answer: Find and read the Oracle Documentation relevant to your area of interest in Oracle. Oracle Product Documentations are Online at the Oracle website.

See Getting Started: DBA and Oracle Documentation Libraries

Question: Where can I find Oracle Database Documentations?
Answer: The following links will help you

Oracle® 11g Documentation
Oracle® 10g Documentation
Oracle® 9i Documentation
Oracle® 8i Documentation
Oracle® 8 Documentation
Oracle® 7 Documentation

Question: Can I easily install the Software and create the database without using the installation guides
Answer: It is important to read any product's documentation before you start installation. It saves you and your organisation the time you will spend searching the internet and forums for answers to avoidable problems. Most of the Software and Hardware requirements and known issue will be stated in the Installation Guide, ReadMe or Release note.

Questions: Can I skip any of the prerequisite checks?
Answer: You should only skip them whee and when advised by Oracle. The fact that installation completed successfully after skipping some checks does not guarantee that a related problem will not show up later.

Questions: How can I upgrade from Oracle Release A to Oracle Release B
Answer: Every Oracle Release comes with an Upgrade Guide and releated release notes. There is no need for guess work on it. The first thing to do is to pickup up and read the these documents before you start.

Question: When I have two Oracle Homes, which listener should I use
Answer: Use the listener of the later Release.

Question: I have got an error while running a program. What should I do first
Answer: Look at the Oracle Error Messages Manual as the first stop. If you the exaplanation did not help, then search Oracle Metalink and Oracle Forum for similar errors before you post any questions. If searching does not help, then post a question in the correct forum. If you cannot find a solution, then Open Service Request (SR - formerly TAR).

Question: What information do I need to provide when posting a question to Oracle Metalink or Oracle Forum
Answer: State your Product, Version, Release, Platform/Operating System. Mention the latest Patchset and CPU applied. Mention what you did or changed before the error occurred and what you have already done after the error occurred. Ensure you do not write in capital letters as it indicated shouting.

See Oracle Forums Etiquette

Question: Do you have any Hint on Oracle 11g Instalaltion?
Answer: The following links will help you

Oracle® 11g Database Hints


Question: Where can I find Enterprise Manager Documentation?
Answer: The following links will help you

Enterprise Manager Documentation Library

Question: Where can I find Oracle Examples?
Answer: The following links will help you

Oracle® By Example (OBE)

Question: Where can I find Oracle Database Error Messages?
Answer: The following links will help you

Oracle® Database Error Messages

Question: Where can I find information on Duplicating Databases?
Answer: The following links will help you

Creating and Updating Duplicate Databases with RMAN

Question: Where can I find information on Application Server Single Sign On?
Answer: The following links will help you

Configuring Enterprise Manager for Use with OAS Single Sign-On

Question: Where can I find information on Enterprise Security?
Answer: The following links will help you

Configuring Enterprise Manager for Use with Enterprise User Security

Question: Which of the documentations is equvalent to quick guides for DBAs
Answer: In the Documentation Libraries, look fo rthe 2 Day DBA guides. They are simpler to use than the main big guides.

You can use the links at the right pane of this blog to find other topics of interest.

All the best in your Oracle role.