Preface

These topics provide information about the scope of these contents for upgrading plans and procedures.

This book guides you through the process of planning and executing Oracle Database upgrades. In addition, this manual provides information about compatibility, upgrading applications, and important changes in the new Oracle Database release, such as initialization parameter changes and data dictionary changes.

Oracle Database Upgrade Guide contains information that describes the features and functions of Oracle Database (also known as the standard edition) and Oracle Database Enterprise Edition products. Oracle Database and Oracle Database Enterprise Edition have the same basic features. However, several advanced features are available only with Oracle Database Enterprise Edition, and some of these are optional. For example, to use application failover, you must have the Enterprise Edition with the Oracle Real Application Clusters option.

• Audience
  
• Documentation Accessibility
  
• Related Documentation
  
• Conventions
  

See Also:

Oracle Database New Features Guide for information about the differences between Oracle Database and Oracle Database Enterprise Edition and the features and options that are available to you

Audience

Oracle Database Upgrade Guide is intended for database administrators (DBAs), application developers, security administrators, system operators, and anyone who plans or performs Oracle Database upgrades.

To use this document, you must be familiar with the following information:

• Relational database concepts

• Your current Oracle Database release

• Your operating system environment

Documentation Accessibility

For information about Oracle's commitment to accessibility, visit the Oracle Accessibility Program website at http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=acc&id=docacc.

Access to Oracle Support

Oracle customers that have purchased support have access to electronic support through My Oracle Support. For information, visit http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=acc&id=info or visit http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=acc&id=trs if you are hearing impaired.

Related Documentation

Review this documentation list for additional information.

• Oracle Database Concepts for a comprehensive introduction to the concepts and terminology used in this manual

• Oracle Database Administrator's Guide for information about administering Oracle Database

• Oracle Database SQL Language Reference for information on Oracle Database SQL commands and functions

• Oracle Database Utilities for information about utilities bundled with Oracle Database

• Oracle Database Net Services Administrator's Guide for information about Oracle Net Services

Many of the examples in this guide use the sample schemas, installed by default when you select the Basic Installation option with an Oracle Database installation. For information on how these schemas are created and how you can use them, refer to the following guide:

Oracle Database Sample Schemas

Conventions

The following text conventions are used in this document:

Convention	Meaning
boldface	Boldface type indicates graphical user interface elements associated with an action, or terms defined in text or the glossary.
italic	Italic type indicates book titles, emphasis, or placeholder variables for which you supply particular values.
monospace	Monospace type indicates commands within a paragraph, URLs, code in examples, text that appears on the screen, or text that you enter.