9.2.1.3 Sparse Database and Sparse Files

In a sparse database, such as an Exadata Snapshot database, its data files are sparse files.

A database consists of the following files:

• control files
• online redo logs
• temp files
• data files

A sparse file contains only changes made to blocks from the parent file (the parent file remains unchanged) and maintains a pointer to the parent file for access to unchanged data.

The Exadata Snapshot has its own copy of the other database files (control files, online redo logs, and temp files). These other database files are not sparse files.