Performing Oracle User-Managed Backups - OCP: Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional - page 11

Common Data Dictionary and Dynamic Performance
Views You Will Use
During your backup and recovery experiences as an Oracle DBA, you will have occasion to
use the data dictionary. Table 1.1 provides a list of some data dictionary views that you will
want to be aware of and that will be helpful to you on your OCP exam.

TABle 1.1 Examples of Data Dictionary/Dynamic Performance Views Useful for Recovery

View Name Description

V$DATABASE

Provides basic database-related information, including the
logging mode

V$INSTANCE

Provides basic instance information

V$DATAFILE

Provides database data file information stored in the control file

V$LOGFILE

Provides information on the individual redo log file members from
the control file

V$LOG

Provides information on the redo log groups from the control file

V$ARCHIVED_LOG

Provides archive log information from the control file

V$LOG_HISTORY

Provides information on redo log switches in the database

DBA_DATA_FILES

Provides data file information

DBA_TABLESPACES

Provides information on tablespaces in the database

You can find all the data dictionary views available in Oracle by looking
at the Oracle reference guide in the Oracle documentation available at
http://tahiti.oracle.com .

Oracle Data Files and Tablespaces

Oracle data is stored in tablespaces, which comprise one or more data files. It is very
important to understand data files and tablespaces and their relationships when it comes
to backup and recovery. In the following sections, we will briefly reintroduce you to the
important components of the Oracle Database.