SORT_AREA_RETAINED_SIZE

Parameter type	Integer
Default value	Derived from SORT_AREA_SIZE
Parameter class	Dynamic: ALTER SESSION, ALTER SYSTEM ... DEFERRED
Range of values	From the value equivalent of two database blocks to the value of SORT_AREA_SIZE

Note: Oracle does not recommend using the SORT_AREA_RETAINED_SIZE parameter unless the instance is configured with the shared server option. Oracle recommends that you enable automatic sizing of SQL working areas by setting PGA_AGGREGATE_TARGET instead. SORT_AREA_RETAINED_SIZE is retained for backward compatibility.

SORT_AREA_RETAINED_SIZE specifies (in bytes) the maximum amount of the user global area (UGA) memory retained after a sort run completes. The retained size controls the size of the read buffer, which Oracle uses to maintain a portion of the sort in memory. This memory is released back to the UGA, not to the operating system, after the last row is fetched from the sort space.

Oracle may allocate multiple sort spaces of this size for each query. Usually, only one or two sorts occur at one time, even for complex queries. In some cases, however, additional concurrent sorts are required, and each sort keeps its own memory area. If the shared server is used, allocation is to the SGA until the value in SORT_AREA_RETAINED_SIZE is reached. The difference between SORT_AREA_RETAINED_SIZE and SORT_AREA_SIZE is allocated to the PGA.

Note: The default value as reflected in the V$PARAMETER dynamic performance view is 0. However, if you do not explicitly set this parameter, Oracle actually uses the value of the SORT_AREA_SIZE parameter.

See Also: Oracle9i Database Performance Guide and Reference for more information on setting this parameter "SORT_AREA_SIZE"