Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 2-3. The files that make up a database
The control file contains locations for other physical files that form the database: the
datafiles and redo logfiles. It also contains key information about the contents and state
of the database, including:
• The name of the database
• When the database was created
• Names and locations of datafiles and redo logfiles
• Tablespace information
• Datafile offline ranges
• The log history and current log sequence information
• Archived log information
• Backup set, pieces, datafile, and redo log information
• Datafile copy information
• Checkpoint information
In addition to providing this information at startup, control files are also useful when
removing a database. Since Oracle Database 10
g
, the DROP DATABASE command can
be used to delete the database files listed in the database control file as well as the control
file itself. With Oracle Database 12
c
, the control file indicates whether the database is a
