Critical Skill 6.6: Manage Database Objects

A large part of your job as a DBA will be to manage the objects that exist in a database. Let’s look at the objects that you need to concern yourself with and discuss the main management issues that you will have in each of these areas.

Control Files

It is critical to the database that you have at least one valid control file for your database. These are small files and can be multiplexed by the Oracle instance. Ensuring that you have at least three copies of the control files (remember, they are small), as well as text and binary backups whenever a data file, log file, or tablespace is changed and on a regularly scheduled basis (at least daily), will go a long way towards ensuring that your control files are in good shape. Control files will be discussed in more detail in Chapter 7.