About Oracle Database Release Numbers
Oracle Database releases are categorized by five numeric segments that indicate release information.
Oracle Database releases are categorized by five numeric segments, which are divided by periods. The first, second, fourth, and fifth numerals provide information about the Oracle Database release:
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First numeral: Oracle Database major release number. For example: Oracle 11g; Oracle 12c
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Second numeral: Oracle Database maintenance release number. For example: Oracle 12c release 1; Oracle 12c release 2
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Fourth numeral: Oracle Database patch release number. For example: 12.1.0.1; 12.1.0.2; 12.2.0.1
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Fifth numeral: Oracle Database platform patch set release number for a platform. For example: GA release (initial release-no patch): 12.2.0.1.0; bundle patch or patch set update (BP or PSU) 12.1.0.1.2; BP or PSU 12.1.0.2.3
Caution:
Oracle strongly recommends that you upgrade your source and target databases to the most recent bundle patch set update before starting an upgrade, and before starting a downgrade.
The following illustration shows each part of a release number, and what each numeral represents:
Figure 1-2 Example of an Oracle Release Number
Description of "Figure 1-2 Example of an Oracle Release Number"