Release Update 19.28 Features

DBMS_DEVELOPER PL/SQL Package

The DBMS_DEVELOPER PL/SQL package provides an efficient way for developers to retrieve metadata for database objects, such as tables, views, and indexes. In previous releases, object metadata had to be retrieved using the DBMS_METADATA package, which returned metadata in XML format or by performing queries on various data dictionary tables and views.

The DBMS_DEVELOPER package returns metadata as a CLOB containing JSON formatted text, which can be easily integrated with applications and services, such as developer tools. You can adjust the level of detail to control the amount of metadata returned, tailoring it to your application's needs. Additionally, metadata retrieval time is significantly improved, enhancing integration with applications and services.

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Enhancements to RADIUS Configuration

RADIUS is frequently used to provide multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Oracle Database. Oracle Database 19c now supports the RFC 6613 and 6614 guidelines for RADIUS and implements TCP over Transport Layer Security (TLS) by default. This enhancement introduces new RADIUS-related sqlnet.ora parameters to support the new standards. The enhancement also deprecates several RADIUS-related sqlnet.ora parameters that are no longer needed to support the new standards.

This update to RADIUS standards support improves security for customers using RADIUS-based authentication.

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IF [NOT] EXISTS Syntax Support

DDL object creation, modification, and deletion now support the c and IF NOT EXISTS syntax modifiers. This enables you to control whether an error should be raised if a given object exists or does not exist.

The IF [NOT] EXISTS syntax can simplify error handling in scripts and by applications.

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Multi-Factor Authentication for Database Authentication

You can enhance Oracle Database security by enabling multi-factor authentication for users. You can use push notifications through the Cisco Duo or Oracle Mobile Authenticator app or combine a username and password with PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) certificate-based authentication.

Multi-factor authentication is a required security requirement for many databases, especially if the database holds sensitive data.

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Oracle Database Cloud Backup Module for Azure Blob Storage

The Oracle Database Cloud Backup Module for Azure Blob Storage enables Oracle Database to send backups to and recover from Microsoft Azure Blob Storage. This backup module is compatible with Oracle Databases deployed on-premises or on Azure cloud. Support for writing backups to Azure Blob Storage for Oracle-managed database services is not available. Database administrators can use RMAN commands, RMAN scripts, and Oracle Enterprise Manager to perform backup and recovery operations with Azure Blob Storage.

You can run Oracle Databases in many different locations, and the backup module for Azure Blob Storage provides on-premises and Azure virtual machine users with more flexibility for backup storage locations.

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Oracle Update Advisor Support with Oracle FPP

You can leverage Oracle Update Advisor with Oracle Fleet Patching and Provisioning (Oracle FPP). Oracle Update Advisor is a software recommendation framework that analyzes the health of Oracle Database and Oracle Grid Infrastructure, provides patch recommendations, and creates fully functional gold images based on your patch maintenance policy. These gold images are downloaded automatically into the Oracle FPP Gold Image repository.

Using Oracle Fleet Patching and Provisioning in conjunction with Oracle Update Advisor greatly simplifies and streamlines the update experience. You can use the Oracle Update Advisor for both Oracle FPP Local Mode and Oracle FPP Central Server Mode.

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Restricting Access to DBA_TAB_STAT_PREFS, CDB_TAB_STAT_PREFS, CDB_TAB_PENDING_STATS, and CDB_IND_PENDING_STATS to DBAs Only

The DBA_TAB_STAT_PREFS, CDB_TAB_STAT_PREFS, CDB_TAB_PENDING_STATS, and CDB_IND_PENDING_STATS views used to be accessible to everyone. Now, they are accessible to users with DBA privileges only.

This change makes these views consistent with any other views starting with the prefix DBA and CDB. Users with non-DBA privileges should only be able to access ALL_TAB_STAT_PREFS, USER_TAB_STAT_PREFS, ALL_TAB_PENDING_STATS, USER_TAB_PENDING_STATS, ALL_IND_PENDING_STATS, and USER_IND_PENDING_STATS.

Schema Annotations

Schema annotations enable you to store and retrieve metadata about database objects. These are name-value pairs or simply a name. These are free-form text fields applications can use to customize business logic or user interfaces.

Annotations help you use database objects in the same way across all applications. This simplifies development and improves data quality.

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SQL Diagnostic Report

The SQL diagnostic package (DBMS_SQLDIAG) includes a new function called REPORT_SQL which generates a zip archive containing a deep-level HTML diagnostic report for a specified SQL statement. The report includes important diagnostic information such as a plan history, non-default database parameters, optimizer statistics history, statistics status, index details, and more. The archive will also include, where available, captured SQL Monitor reports for the SQL.

This feature makes it easier to diagnose SQL performance issues.

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