COMPATIBLE

Parameter type	String
Syntax	COMPATIBLE = release_number
Default value	8.1.0
Parameter class	Static
Range of values	Default release to current release
Real Application Clusters	Multiple instances must have the same value.

COMPATIBLE allows you to use a new release, while at the same time guaranteeing backward compatibility with an earlier release. This is helpful if it becomes necessary to revert to the earlier release.

This parameter specifies the release with which the Oracle server must maintain compatibility. It allows you to take advantage of the maintenance improvements of a new release immediately in your production systems without testing the new functionality in your environment. Some features of the current release may be restricted.

When using the standby database feature, this parameter must have the same value on the primary and standby databases, and the value must be 7.3.0.0.0 or higher. The default value is the earliest release with which compatibility can be guaranteed.

The value of COMPATIBLE must be set to 8.1.0 or higher in order to use stored columns of UROWID type. You can use ROWID pseudo columns for index-organized tables regardless of the parameter setting.

See Also: Oracle9i Database Migration for more information on setting this parameter