Preface

This document describes how to use Oracle Database utilities for data transfer, data maintenance, and database administration.

• Audience
  
• Documentation Accessibility
  
• Diversity and Inclusion
  
• Related Documentation
  
• Syntax Diagrams
  
• Conventions
  

Audience

The utilities described in this book are intended for database administrators (DBAs), application programmers, security administrators, system operators, and other Oracle Database users who perform the following tasks:

• Archive data, back up Oracle Database, or move data between different Oracle Databases using the Export and Import utilities (both the original versions and the Oracle Data Pump versions)
• Load data into Oracle Database tables from operating system files, using SQL*Loader
• Load data from external sources, using the external tables feature
• Perform a physical data structure integrity check on an offline database, using the DBVERIFY utility
• Maintain the internal database identifier (DBID) and the database name (DBNAME) for an operational database, using the DBNEWID utility
• Extract and manipulate complete representations of the metadata for Oracle Database objects, using the Metadata API
• Query and analyze redo log files (through a SQL interface), using the LogMiner utility

• Use the Automatic Diagnostic Repository Command Interpreter (ADRCI) utility to manage Oracle Database diagnostic data

To use this manual, you need a working knowledge of SQL and of Oracle fundamentals. You can find such information in Oracle Database Concepts. In addition, to use SQL*Loader, you must know how to use the file management facilities of your operating system.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

Oracle is fully committed to diversity and inclusion. Oracle respects and values having a diverse workforce that increases thought leadership and innovation. As part of our initiative to build a more inclusive culture that positively impacts our employees, customers, and partners, we are working to remove insensitive terms from our products and documentation. We are also mindful of the necessity to maintain compatibility with our customers' existing technologies and the need to ensure continuity of service as Oracle's offerings and industry standards evolve. Because of these technical constraints, our effort to remove insensitive terms is ongoing and will take time and external cooperation.

Related Documentation

For more information, refer to the Oracle Database documentation set. In particular, check the following documents:

• Oracle Database Concepts

• Oracle Database SQL Language Reference

• Oracle Database Administrator’s Guide

• Oracle Database PL/SQL Packages and Types Reference

Also refer to My Oracle Support notes that are relevant to Oracle Data Pump tasks, and in particular, refer to recommended proactive patches for your release:

Data Pump Recommended Proactive Patches For 19.10 and Above (Doc ID 2819284.1)

Oracle Data Pump patches are not included in Oracle Database release updates, but instead are provide in bundled patches that contain SQL, PL/SQL packages, and XML stylesheets for Oracle Data Pump. Oracle recommends that you apply the most recent Oracle Data Pump bundle patch for your release. Because these patches do not include Oracle Database binaries, you can apply Oracle Data Pump patches online while the database is running , so long as Oracle Data Pump is not in use at the time.

Some of the examples in this book use the sample schemas of the seed database, which is installed by default when you install Oracle Database. Refer to Oracle Database Sample Schemas for information about how these schemas were created, and how you can use them yourself.

Syntax Diagrams

Syntax descriptions are provided in this book for various SQL, PL/SQL, or other command-line constructs in graphic form or Backus Naur Form (BNF). See Oracle Database SQL Language Reference for information about how to interpret these descriptions.

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.