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Interview 1

1:Which file is read to start the instance?


2:Which file is read when database is mounted?
3:Which actions will occur if we issue command startup at SQL prompt immediately then?
4:What do dirty buffers comprises of?
5:Which init.ora parameter is used to size database buffer cache?
6:What do the library cache consists of?
7:How can we size shared pool?
8:What contains in program global area? What cannot be the contents of PGA?
9:What happens during process of check point?
10:What is the function of SMON? Which is not a function of SMON?
11:Which file is read to start the instance?
12:Which file is read when database is mounted?
13: Which actions will occur if we issue command startup at SQL prompt immediately then?
14:What contains in System Global Area? Which cannot be a part of SGA?
15:What do dirty buffers comprises of?
16:Which init.ora parameter is used to size database buffer cache?
17:What do the library cache consists of?
18:How can we size shared pool?
19:What cannot be contents of PGA?
20:What happens during process of checkpoint?
21:Which is not a function of SMON?
22:The total number of base tables that get created into sys account?
23:What is the status of your database when we run the create database file(cr8demo.sql)?
24:Who are the users that gets created automatically the moment the database is created?
25:What is the tablespace that accomodates base tables?
26:What is the default tablespace for SYS user?
27:Data dictionary views are static.
28:Is the database creation successful with this command?
SQL>create database;
29:What will happen after you issue a command 'SHUTDOWN NORMAL'? What will be not happen when
a command 'SHUTDOWN NORMAL' is issued?
30:What contains in parameter file? What is not the content of parameter file?
31:Can we create a tablespace with multiple datafiles at a single stroke?
32:Can a datafile be associated with two different tablespaces?
33:Suppose your database has max_datafiles limit of 80 and we want to add files above this limit. Which
file we need to modify?
34:______ is the view which tells us about all the tablespaces in your tablespace.
35:Can we bring SYSTEM tablespace offline when the database is up?
36:What is the default initail extent size when the tablespace is dictionary managed?
37:Which parameter should be added in init.ora file for creating tablespace with multiple block sizes?
38:What is the value for the storage clause PCT increase when the tablespace extent management is
local(uniform)?
39:What is the command that combines all the smaller contiguous free extents in the tablespace into one
large extent.
40:If the system data files to be renamed, the database must be in which mode?
41:After creating a tablespace what is the default value for segment space management in 9i?
42:A tablespace was created with extent management as local. After that the tablespace extent
management was changed from local to dictionary. What would be the next extent size?
43:If we create a tablespace with extent management dictionary and blocksize 8k with default storage
initial 10k. After creating this tablespace what value it will show for initial_extent in dba_tablespaces?
44:Can we create a table with your own parameters like(initial 300k next 300k minextents) on tablespace
whose extent management is local.
45:A locally managed tablespace is made offline. What is the status of bytes column in dba_data_files?
46:Can we resize the datafile where the related tablespace is in offline mode?
47:DBA changed datafile's autoextend value to on, what is the default value for increment_by(column)
located in dba_data_files?
48:Can we drop a object when the tablespace is in read only mode?
49:We are trying to create a table with your own storage parameters in a locally managed tablespace.
Guess what happens?
50:Extent deallocation for a segment is done when ____.
51:Which type of data is available in rollback segments?
52:What is the purpose of rollback segments?
53:What is the default status of rollback segment the moment it is created?
54:What is the storage parameter that is unique to rollback segments?
55:Suppose a rollback segment is occupied by a transaction and in the mean time the rollback segment is
bought offline at that moment. What is the status of that rollback segment.
56:What does high water mark size(hwm size) in rollback segments state?
57:Suppose the users tablespace is bought offline which has some transaction later the user said commit.
what is the status of the rollback segment at this stage.
58:To make rollback segments online the moment the database is started what is the file we need to
modify.
59:Can a rollback segment hold multiple entries.
60:Can we drop an undo tablespace which is currently in use?
61:Can we create the permanent objects in default temporary tablespace of DB?
62:Can we make a tempfile read only?
63:Which of the following view, by which we can find out the default temporary tablespace of a DB?
64:What is the extent_management value for the temporary tablespace created in 10g?
65:What is the min size for a temporary file to be created?
66:What is the value for allocation_type column in dba_tablespaces view for temporary tablespace.
67:Which command is used to make the temporary tablespace as default temporary tablespace of a
database?
68:Which conditions should meet to convert permanent TS into temporary
69:What is the command to convert a permanent TS into temporary?
70:Can we create temporary tablespace with "SEGMENT SPACE MANAGEMENT AUTO".
71:Create user with out mentioning default tablespace clause. Then by default which tablespace allocate
for that user?
72:One user assigned select on <table> to another user with grant option after that this second user
assigned same privilege to third user. After that first user revoked this privilege from second user.Then
third user can he use that already assigned privilege.
73:If DBA created one role with some privileges and assigned this role to users.After that he want revoke
on privilege from that users now?
74:DBA created one profile and assigned to users for applicable for that which parameter we need to set
in init.ora?
75:Which privilege is necessary for a normal user to change his password?
76:How to manually lock user account?
77:From which view user can see his privileges?
78:One user has quota on two tablespaces. Can he create his tables other than default tablespace?
79:System user granted DBA to normal user. Now can this user revoke DBA from system?
80:For creating password file for sys in which directory we are created?
81:What is the default location of listener.ora file?
82:The listener service is stopped after giving a connection to a client.What is the status of client?
83:What is the command to start the listener for a particular parameters set?
84:Can we start the listener service for a database which is not yet started/opened?
85:In which file do we set this parameter FAILOVER=ON to use failover server option of oracle
networking?
86:Can we start multiple database services with in one listener service?
87:Can i have multiple listeners for a single database?
88:What is the view do we query to find out the users who are connected using oracle networking?
89:After some modifications to listener file, How can i refresh the already running listener service without
stopping it?
90:Which operations we can perform using network connections?
91:Which background process is needed to create materialized view?
92:Which parameter do we use to start the reco process?
93:Is it mandatory to put the parameter global_names=true for creating database links?
94:For creating database links is it necessary to put some value for distributed_transactions parameter?
95:Which background process will refresh the materialized view on a given refresh interval?
96:Can we do any DML operations on materialized view?
97:How many refresh options do we have for creating materialized view?
98:Can we manually refresh any materialized view?
99:What is the segment type for a materialized view?
100:What is the syntax to drop materialized view
101:What is the status of the tablespace when its getting exported(transportable tablespace)?
102:What should be the status of the database when we are taking full database backup?
103:What does compress parameter mean?
104:What levels is supported by export utility? what level is not supported by export utility?
105:What does volsize parameter in exports mean?
106:Suppose we had taken a full database export and now want to import it to a non oracle database.
Can we do it?
107:What does feedback parameter in exports mean?
108:Can we export a table's structure but not records?
109:What is the purpose of destroy parameter while importing?
110:Is it possible to export single partition of a table?
111:Which oracle utility is faster for downloading data into a dumpfile?
112:Which role is required for performing a FULL export datapump?
113:In which schema is the master table created when performing expdb.
114:Which parameter of expdb should i use when a particular tablespace needs to be backed up?
115:Which parameter should i use to speedup the expdb?
116:Can i interrupt a expdb process?
117:Which two PL/SQL packages are used by the oracle data pump?
118:Which command line parameter of expdb and impdb clients connects we to an existing job?
119:Which parameters are valid for using impdp client? which parameter is not a valid for using impdp
client?
120:Users are experiencing delays in query response time in a database application. Which area should
we look at first to resolve the problem?
121:Which is measuring tuning goal that can be used to evaluate system performance?
122:Performance has degraded on your system. And we discover paging and swapping is occuring. What
is the possible cause of this problem?
123:Which facility of oracle is used to format the output of an sql*trace?
124:Which role is needed for a user to run autotrace facility?
125:Which script creates plan_table?
126:Which tkprof option is used to set recursive SQL statements?
127:We query v$librarycache view, which column contains executions of an item stored in library cache?
128:Which change would we make if we wanted to decrease the number of disk sorts?
129:What happens in M.T.S configured environment?
130:Which part of SGA becomes mandatory if we configure M.T.S?
131:Where does oracle store user session and cursor state information in a MTS environment?
132:Which options of dispatcher parameter of init.ora would we consider while starting dispatcher of
MTS?
133:MTS is configured in our database and we want to use dedicated connection, then which of the
following clause we will use in tnsnames.ora file?
134:Which parameter of init.ora informs to the database on which listener process listens for database
connection requests?
135:Which is true in MTS?
136:Which of the following decides how many dispatchers does your MTS server shall have?
137:Which view provides information about dispatcher processes like name, network address etc.
138:Which provide statistics for the dispatcher processes?
139:What contains information about connections to the database through dispatchers?
140:What contains information about shared server message queues?
141:How many types of partitions we can create?
142:We are trying to create partition based on range. Can we create sub partition is also on range?
143:Which statement is true?
144:Can we create all partitions on the same tablespace?
145:One user is trying to create on table with four partitions.The specified first three partitions in different
tablespaces. He did not specify any tablespace from the last partition? Then which tablespace it will look?
146:How many types of indexes we can create on partition table?
147:Can we create partitioned index on non-partitioned table?
148:Can we create subpartition after creating the partition?
149:Can we create local index by giving the range for your partitions?
150:Can we create partitioned index with subpartition?
151:Identify the new partitioning method available for global indexes.
152:What is the main reason to create a reverse-key index on a column?
153:What are the main benefits of index-organized tables?
154:What are the statements about rebuilding indexes?
155:What is the main reason for a 'row overflow area' when creating index-organized tables?
156:Which type of index should be created to spread the distribution of an index across the index tree?
157:Which three things can the Alter index rebuild command accomplish?
158:A company's DBA has isssued the following statement to validate and check the indexes. From
which of the following view, he can obtain information about indexes. Analyze index index-name validate
structure.
159:A company's DBA migrated the applications from an earlier release of the oracle server which
caused some of the indexes need to be converted into a reverse key index. How he can do the
operation?
160:In one table 5 million rows will be dumped every month end.After dumping the data,reports will be
taken based on particular column which contains low cordinality. Which index will give better
performance.
161:Which command is not a valid syntax?
162:What contains in control files?what is false about control files?
163:What information does control file store? Control files cannot store ______.
164:Which of the following is false about redo log files?
165:Which of the following is false about redo log files?
166:What happens when a user issues commit?
167:How do we change name of the database?
168:What is rolling forward mechanism?
169:Assume that we lost redolog group 2. Then as a DBA how will we recover them?
170:Through which data dictionary view will we find out where archived log files are created.
171:Which of the following is true about archive log files?
172:What are the minimum files will be copied in whole database backup.
173:To take cold backup,database will be in which mode.
174:To take cold backup database should be...
175:If we lose the database, how to recover it?
176:After performing a data load of static data on a tablespace,the DBA performs a backup.If the DBA
then sets the tablespace to read-only mode,when is the next time a backup should be taken?
177:We are attempting to identify synchronization between files on a mounted database that was just
backed up.Which view may offer assistance in this task?
178:An oracle database ensures detection of the need for database recovery by checking for
synchronization using which of the background process?
179:After a session makes a change to a table in the oracle database, at what point is that change
physically written to the database files?
180:We are concerned that media recovery performance will be slow because we have very large redo
logs to apply to the oracle database. which identifies the way we can speed recovery performance in the
future.
181:While the database is running in NO ARCHIVELOG MODE can we take a datafile offline by giving
the command 'alter database datafile <file_id> offline'.
182:To take hot backup database should be.....
183:To take hot backup the tablespace will be in which mode.
184:In order to minimize risks associated with performing a tablespace point-in-time recovery, each of the
following choices identifies the items we should have on hand, except one. Which is it?
185:Which view we can query to know our database is in backup mode?
186:The DBA is attempting to diagnose database corruption with dbverify. Which of the following
command-line options are not associated with the use of this tool?
187:The Oracle database is experiencing peak transaction volume. In order to reduce I/O bottlenecks
created by large amount of redo write acivity, which steps can be taken?
188:The alert log can contain specific information about which database backup activity?
189:Currently, there is only one copy of a control file for a production oracle database. How could the
DBA reduce the likelihood that a disk failure would eliminate the only copy of the control file in the oracle
database?
190:The DBA has just created a database in noarchivelog mode. Which reasons may cause him or her to
leave the database in that mode for production operation?
191:In archive log multiplexing environments on oracle 8i databases, which parameters is used for
defining the name of the archive log in the additional destinations?
192:To take the backup through RMAN utility, in which state the database should be?
193:When ever we connect target database through RMAN utility. What it needs.
194:The DBA is evaluating the use of RMAN in a backup and recovery strategy for oracle
databases.Which are the reasons not to use RMAN in conjunction with the overall method for backing up
and recovering those databases?
195:The DBA is developing scripts in RMAN. In order to store but not process commands in a script in
RMAN for database backup, which command is appropriate?
196:Which is the statement that describes multiplexing in backup sets?
197:The DBA is planning backup capacity using RMAN. Which is the statement that describes streaming?
198:The DBA has executed a level 0 backup and a level 1 backup. If the DBA then executes another level
1 backup, what information in the database will be backed up?
199:When is the best time to execute the command "resync database"?
200:Which is the statement regarding memory usage by the recovery manager is true?

Interview 2

1:How a data file can be added to an existing tablespace?


2:If there are 10 users, and there are 10 tablespaces, Each user having a different tablespace, at this time
if we add a data file to which tablespace it will go.
3:what is instance?
4:What are the main background processes?
5:If there are 200 records, to retrieve this records, we will give select statement, what will happen in the
background?
6:What are Memory Structures?
7:What are the components of SGA?
8:How many standby databases are there?
9:How will you do hot backups? What are the steps of hot backup for the whole database?
10:If a datafile is missing, then how will you recover it through RMAN.
11:What is the logical structure of a database?
12:What is a table?
13:What is a tablespace?
14:How will you synchronize blocks,extent,segment,tablespace?
15:How will you build an index?
16:What is the difference between cost based optimization and rule based optimization?
17:In RMAN, How would you see which configurations are set.
18:How will you differentiate extent, segment and tablespace?
Interview 3

1:What is a granule?
2:As a general guideline what should be the size of PGA.
3:How do you set the self tune SGA?
4:What are the memory areas automatically tuned with the self tune SGA?
5:How do you recover the unnecessary space occupied by a table?
6:What is the pre-requisite to run this command(shrink space command)?
7:How do you recover the space occupied beyond the high water mark?
8:How do you allocate database buffer cache in oracle 7?
9:What are the differences from oracle 7 to oracle 8 in the database buffer cache allocations.
10:What is the recommendation for defining to keep recycle and default buffer pool.
11:How the default buffer pool is maintained?
12:What is the other occassions when database buffer cache will be writing to the disk, other than disk?
13:Is it possible for us to not to define the java pool size. Is it possible that, we can run the database
without defining the java pool size.
14:What is the basic functionality of large pool?
15:How do you drop a tablespace?
16:What are the functions of SMON proces?
17:What is the function of PMON?
18:How do you drop a redo log file?
19:What is a segment?
20:Create a tablespace which is non-default block size.
21:How do you create OMF(oracle managed files)?
22:What are the creteria of the OMF tablespace?
23:What are the characteristics of OMF?
24:What is the meaning of PCT free.
25:What is PCT Used?
26:What is the meaning of LOGGING with the create table command.

Interview Questions 6
1:A tablespace has a table with 3D extents in it. Is this bad? Why or why not.
2:How do you setup tablespaces during an oracle installation?
3:You see multiple fragments in the SYSTEM tablespace, what should you check first?
4:What are some indications that you need to increase the SHARED_POOL_SIZE parameter?
5:What is the general guideline for sizing db_block_size and db_multi_block_read for an application that
does many full table scans?
6:What is the fastest query method for a table.
7:Explain the use of TKPROF? What initialization parameter should be turned on to get full TKPROF
output?
8:When looking at v$sysstat you see that sorts(disks) is high. Is this bad or good? If bad-How do you
correct it?
9:When should you increase copy latches? What parameters control copy latches.
10:Where can you get a list of all initialization parameters for your instance? How about an indication if
they are default settings or have

been changed.
11:Describe hit ratio as it pertains to the database buffers. What is the difference between instantaneous
and cumulative hit ratio and which

should be used for tuning.


12:Discuss row chaining? How does it happen? How can you reduce it? How do you carrect it.
13:When looking at the estat events report you see that you are getting busy buffer waits. Is this bad?
How can you find what is causing it?
14:If you see contention for library caches how can you fix it.
15:If you see statistics that deal with "undo" what are they really talking about.
16:If tablespace has a default PCT increase of zero what will this cause(in relationship to the smon
process).
17:If a tablespace shows excessive fragmentation. What are some methods to defragment the
tablespace(7.1, 7.2, 7.3 only).
18:How can you tell if a tablespace has excessive fragmentation.
19:You see the following on a status report:
redo log space requests 23
redo log space wait time 0
Is this something to worry about?
What if redo log space wait time is high? How can you fix this.
20:What can cause a high value for recursive calls? How can this be fixed.
21:If you see a pin hit ratio of less than 0.8 in the estat library cache report. Is this a problem? If so, how
do you fix it.
22:If you see the value for reloads is high in the estat library cache report. Is this a matter for concern.
23:You look at the dba_rollback_segs view and see that there is large number of shrinks and they are of
relatively small size, is this a

problem? How can it be fixed if it is a problem.


24:You look at the dba_rollback_segs view and see that you have a large number of wraps. Is this a
problem.
25:In a system with an average of 40 concurrent users you get the following from a query on rollback
extents:
rollback curr extents
ro1 11
r02 18
r03 12
r04 9
system 4
26:You have room for each to grow by 20 more extents each. Is there a problem? Should you take any
action.
27:You see multiple extents in the temporary tablespace. Is this a problem.
28:Define OFA.
29:How do you setup your tablespace on installation?
30:What should be done prior to installing oracle(for the OS and the disks).
31:You have installed oracle and you are now setting up the actual instance. You have been waiting an
hour for the initialization script to

finish, what should you check first to determine if there is a problem.


32:When configuring SQLNET on the server. What files must be setup?
33:When configuring SQLNET on the client. What files need to be setup.
34:What must be installed with ODBC on the client in order for it to work with oracle.
35:You have just started a new instance with a large SGA on a busy existing server. Performance is
terrible, What should you check for.
36:What OS user should be used for the first part of an oracle installation(on UNIX)?
37:When should the default values for oracle initialization parameter be used as is.
38:How many control files should you have? Where should they be located.
39:How many redo logs should have and how should they be configured for maximum recoverability?
40:You have a simple application with no "hot" tables(ie uniform 10 and access requirements). How many
disks should you have assuming standard layout for SYSTEM, USER, TEMP and ROLLBACK
tablespaces.
41:Describe third normal form.
42:Is the following statement true or false:"All relational databases must be in third normal form".
43:What is an ERD.
44:Why are recursive relationships are bad? How do you resolve them?
45:What does a hard one-to-one relationship mean(one where the relationship on both ends is "must").
46:How should a many-to-many relationship be handled?
47:What is an artificial(derived) primary key? When should an artificial(or derived) primary key be used.
48:When should you consider denormalization.
49:How can you determine if an oracle instance is up from the operating system level?
50:Users from the PC clients are getting messages indicating: ORA-06114:(cnct err, can't get err that see
server Msgs & codes Manual). What could the problem be.
51:Users from the PC clients are getting the following error stack:
ERROR:ORA-01034:Oracle not available
ORA-07318:smsget:open error when opening sgadef.dbf file
HP-UX Error:2:No such file or directory
What is the probable cause.
52:How can you detemine if the SQLNET process is running for SQLNET V1? How about V2.
53:What file will give you oracle instance status information? Where is it located.
54:User's aren't being allowed on the system. The following message is received: ORA-00257 archiver is
struck. Connect internal only, until freed. What is the problem?
55:Where would you look to find out if a redo log was corrupted assuming you are using oracle mirrored
redo logs.
56:You attempt to add a datafile and get: ORA-01118: cannot add anymore datafiles:limit of 40 exceeded.
What is the problem and how can you fix it.
57:You look at your fragmentation report and see that smon hasn't coalesced any of your tablespaces,
even though you know several have large chunks of contiguous free extents. What is the problem?
58:Your users get the following error: ORA-00055 maximum number of DML locks exceeded. What is the
problem and how do you fix it.
59:You get a call from your backup DBA while you are on vacation. He has corrupted all of the control
files while playing with the alter database backup control file command. What do you do.
60:Differentiate between truncate and delete.
61:What is the maximum buffer size that can be specified using the dbms_output.enable function?
62:Can you use a commit statement within a database trigger?
63:What is an UTL_FILE? What are the different procedures and functions associated with it?
64:Difference between database triggers and form triggers?
65:What is OCI. What are its uses?

Interview Questions 5
1:How can variables passed to a SQL routine.
2:You want to include a carriage return/linefeed in your output from a SQL script, how can you do this.
3:How can you call a PL/SQL procedure from SQL?
4:How do you execute a host operating system command from within SQL?
5:You want to use SQL to build SQL, what is this called and give an eg.
6:What SQLPLUS command is used to format output from a select.
7:You want to group the following set of select returns, what can you group on Max(sum_of_cost),
Min(sum_of_cost), count(item_no), item_no.
8:What special oracle feature allows you to specify how the cost based system treats a SQL statement.
9:You want to determine the location of identical rows in a table before attempting to place a unique index
on the table, how can this be done.
10:What is a cartesian product?
11:You are joining a local and a remote table, the network manager complains about the traffic involved,
how can you reduce the network traffic.
12:What is the default ordering of an ORDER BY clause in a SELECT statement.
13:What is tkprof and how is it used?
14:What is explain plan and how is it used?
15:How do you set the number of lines on a page of output? The width.
16:How do you prevent output from coming to the screen?
17:How do you prevent oracle from giving the informational messages during and after a SQL statement
execution.
18:How do you generate file output from SQL?

Interview Questions 4
1:Give one method for transferring a table from one schema to another.
2:What is the purpose of the IMPORT option IGNORE? What is its default setting.
3:You have a rollback segment in a version 7.2 database that has expanded beyond its optimal, how can
it be restored to optimal.
4:If the default and temporary tablespace clauses are left out of a create user command what happens?
Is this bad or good? Why.
5:What are some of the oracle provided packages that DBA's should be aware of.
6:What happens if the constraint name is left out of a constraint clause.
7:What happens if a tablespace clause is left out off a primary key constraint clause.
8:What is the proper method for disabling and re-enabling a primary key constraint.
9:What happens if a primary key constraint is disabled and then enabled without fully specifying the index
clause.
10:(On UNIX) When should more than one DB writer process be used? How many should be used.
11:You are using hot backup wihout being in archive log mode, can you recover in the event of a failure?
Why or why not.
12:What causes the "snapshot too old" error? How can this be prevented or mitigated.
13:How can you tell if a database object is invalid.
14:A user is getting an ORA-00942 error yet you know you have granted them permission on the table,
what else should you check.
15:A developer is trying to create a view and the database won't let him. He has the "DEVELOPER" role
which has the "CREATE VIEW" system privilege and SELECT grants on the tables he is using, what is
the problem.
16:If you have an eg table, what is the best way to get sizing data for the production table implementation.
17:How can you find out how many users are currently logged into the database? How can you find out
their operating system id.
18:A user selects from a sequence and gets back two values, his select is : SELECT pk_seq.nextval from
dual; what is the problem.
19:How can you determine if an index needs to be dropped and rebuilt.

Interview Questions 3
1:Describe the difference between a procedure, function and anonymous pl/sql block.
2:What is a mutating table error and how can you get around it?
3:Describe the use of %ROWTYPE and %TYPE in PL/SQL.
4:What packages(if any) has oracle provided for use by developers?
5:Describe the use of PL/SQL tables.
6:When is a declare statement needed?
7:In what order should a open/fetch/loop set of commands in a PL/SQL block be implemented if you use
the %NOTFOUND cursor variable in the exit when statement? Why?
8:What are SQLCODE and SQLERRM and why are they important for PL/SQL developers?
9:How can you find within a PL/SQL block, if a cursor is open?
10:How can you generate debugging output from PL/SQL?
11:What are the types of triggers?

Interview Questions 2
1:Explain the difference between a hot backup and a cold backup and the benefits associated with each.
2:You have just had to restore from backup and do not have control files. How would you go about
bringing up this database?
3:How do you switch from an init.ora file to a spfile?
4:Explain the difference between a data block, an extent and a segment.
5:Give two egs of how you might determine the structure of the table DEPT.
6:Where would you look for errors from the database engine?
7:Compare and contrast Truncate and delete for a table.
8:Give the reasoning behind using an index.
9:Give the two types of tables involved in producing a star schema and the type of data they hold.
10:What type of index should you use on a fact table?
11:Give two egs of referential integrity constraints.
12:A table is classified as a parent table and you want to drop and re-create it. How would you do this
without affecting the children tables?
13:Explain the difference between ARCHIVELOG mode and NOARCHIVELOG mode and the benefits
and disadvantages to each.
14:What command would you use to create a backup control file?
15:Gve the stages of instance startup to a usable state where normal users may access it.
16:What column differentiates the v$ views to the gv$views and how?
17:How would go about generating an EXPLAIN plan?
18:How would you go about increasing the buffer cache hit ratio?
19:Explain an ORA-01555.
20:Explain the difference between $ORACLE_HOME and $ORACLE_BASE.

Interview Questions 1
1:What are the components of physical structure of Oracle database?
2:What are the components of logical database structure of Oracle database?
3:What is a tablespace?
4:What is a system tablespace and when it is created?
5:Explain the relationship among database, tablespace and datafile.
6:What is a schema?
7:What are schema objects?
8:Can objects of the same schema reside in different tablespaces?
9:Can a tablespace hold objects from different schemas?
10:What is Oracle table?
11:What is an Oracle view?
12:Do a view contain data.
13:Can a view based on another view?
14:What are the advantages of views?
15:What is an Oracle sequence?
16:What is a synonym?
17:What are the types of synonyms?
18:What is a private synonym?
19:What is a public synonym?
20:What are synonyms used for?
21:What is an Oracle Index?
22:How are the index updates?
23:What are clusters?
24:What is cluster key?
25:What is Index cluster?
26:What is Hash cluster?
27:When can hash cluster used?
28:What is database link?
29:What are the types of database links?
30:What is private database link?
31:What is public database link?
32:What is network database link?
33:What is data block?
34:How to define data block size?
35:What is row chaining?
36:What is an extent?
37:What is a segment?
38:What are the different types of segments?
39:What is a data segment?
40:What is an index segment?
41:What is rollback segment?
42:What are the uses of rollback segment?
43:What is a temporary segment?
44:What is a datafile?
45:What are the characteristics of data files?
46:What is a redo log?
47:What is the function of redo log?
48:What is the use of redo log information?
49:What does a control file contain?
50:What is the use of control file?
51:What is a database instance? Explain.
52:What is parallel servers?
53:What is a schema?
54:What is an index? How it is implemented in Oracle database?
55:What are clusters?
56:What of is a cluster key?
57:What are the basic element of basic element of base configuration of an Oracle database?
58:What is a deadlock? Explain.
59:What is SGA?
60:What is a shared pool?
61:What is mean by Program Global Area(PGA)?
62:What is a data segment?
63:What are the factors causing the reparsing the SQL statements in SGA?
64:What is Database Buffer?
65:What is dictionary cache?
66:What is meant by recursive hints?
67:What is redo log buffer?
68:How will swap objects into a different table space for an existing database?
69:Lsit the Optimal Flexible Architecture(OFA) of Oracle Database? How can we organize the
tablespaces in oracle database to have
maximum performance?
70:How will you force database to use particular rollback segment?
71:What is meant by free extent?
72:Which parameter in storage clause will reduce number of rows per block?
73:What is the significance of having storage clause?
74:How does space allocation table place within a block?
75:What is the role of PCTFREE parameter in storage clause?
76:What is the OPTIMAL parameter?
77:What is the functionality of SYSTEM tablespace?
78:How will you create multiple rollback segements in a database?
79:How the space utilization takes place within rollback segments?
80:Why query fails sometimes?
81:How will you monitor the space allocation?
82:How will you monitor rollback segment status?
83:List the sequence of events when a large transaction that exceeds beyond its optimal value when an
entry wraps and causes the rollback
segment to expand into another extent.
84:How can we plan storage for very large objects?
85:How will you estimate the space required by a non-clustered tables?
86:Is it possible to use raw devices as datafiles and what are the advantages over file system files?
87:What is a control file?
88:How to implement the multiple control files for an existing database?
89:What is a redo log file mirroring? How can be achived?
90:What is the advantage of disk shadowing/mirroring?
91:What is the use of rollback segments in oracle database?
92:What is a rollback segment entry?
93:What is hit ratio?
94:When will be a segment released?
95:What are the disadvanteges of having raw devices?
96:List the factors that can affect the accuracy of the estimations.
97:What is user account in oracle database?
98:How will you enforce security using stored procedures?
99:What are the dictionary tables used to monitor a database space?
100:What are the types of SQL statement?
101:What is a transaction?
102:What is the difference between Truncate and Delete?
103:What is a join? Explain the different types of joins?
104:What is a sub-query?
105:What is correlated sub-query?
106:Explain CONNECT by prior?
107:Difference between substr & Instr?
108:Explain union, minus, union all and intersect?
109:What is rowid?
110:What is the fastest way of accessing a row in a table?
111:What is an integrity constraint?
112:What is referential integrity constraint?
113:What is the usage of SAVE POINT?
114:What is on delete cascade?
115:What are the data types allowed in a table?
116:What is the difference between CHAR and VARCHAR2? What is the maximum size allowed for each
type?
117:How many LONG columns are allowed in a table? Is it possible to use LONG columns in WHERE
clause or ORDER BY?
118:What are the pre-requisites to modify data type of a column and to add a column with NOT NULL
constraint?
119:Where the integrity constraints are stored in data dictionary?
120:How will you activate/deactivate integrity?
121:If unique key canstraint on DATE column is created, will it validate the rows that are inserted with
SYSDATE?
122:What is a database link?
123:How to access the current value and next value from a sequence? Is it possible to access the current
value in a session before accessing
next value?
124:What is cycle/nocycle in a sequence?
125:What are the advantages of VIEW?
126:Can a view be updated/inserted/deleted?
127:If a view on a single base table is manipulated, will the changes be reflected on the base table?
Exports & Imports Questions
1:Try to reorganize the EMP table using export and import.
2:Is it possible to export a limited number of rows from a table?
3:Which parameter is used to export a full database?
4:You had taken a full database export. Can you import a single object from it?
5:How can you skip the constraints of a table during export?
6:What is the default value for the parameter commit?
7:Find out the importance of Resumable parameter of Import.
8:Try to export the database using FLASHBACK_SCN parameter.
9:What are the options we use in INCTYPE type parameter with EXPORT?
10:Why do we use IGNORE parameter?
11:Try to move several indexes from one tablespace to another using export and import.
12:Try to find out difference between 'FULL=Y' and 'INCTYPE=COMPLETE' options?
13:What are the views available to see the information about export?
14:Which view keeps track of the changes made by incremental export?
15:When do we use the DESTROY parameter of import?

Cold Backup Questions


1:What are the different types of Physical Backups?
2:What is the difference between Logical and Physical Backups?
3:Can we recover a database with a help of Logical Backup?
4:Is it necessary to turn the database into Archive log mode to take a physical backup?
5:What is an media failure?
6:What are the physical components of an Oracle Database?
7:While taking a cold backup is it mandatory to take a backup of the logfiles?
8:Differentiate Cold and Hot Backup.
9:What is a complete database recovery?
10:When is a complete database recovery possible through cold backup?
11:Is it possible to do a complete database recovery if the SYSTEM data file is lost?
12:When does an in-complete database recovery occur?
13:What are the dynamic views, which give the information about the datafile, redo log file, control file?
14:What is the significance of RESETLOGS during a recovery?

Hot Backups Questions


1:What is a hot backup? Try to take hot backup using script and manual.
2:Which view helps us to know about files under hot backup mode?
3:Can we perform DMLs while tablespace is in begin backup mode?
4:Can transactions be done on a tablespace, which is in backup mode? If so where does the information
written?
5:How can a database be recovered, if all the control files are lost?
6:Which view do you query to find out check point information?
7:Try to get back a table, which was accidentally dropped from the database.
8:Restore a single datafile from a tar backup and perform recovery.
9:Try to perform a complete database recovery using online redolog group.
10:What are the different views available to see the information about lost datafiles?
11:If the system datafile is lost, is online complete recovery possible? If yes, try it out.
12:Try to perform a recovery of a datafile for which the talespace is in begin backup mode?
13:Can i put the complete database in begin backup mode?

Recovery Manager(RMAN) Questions


1:What are the views available to see the information about RMAN?
2:Is it possible to take an incremental backup through RMAN?
3:Can we take the backup and restore of control file automatically using RMAN without synchronizing the
catalog?
4:What does the list backup command do?
5:Try to find out the configuration of RMANusing SHOW ALL?
6:Can you duplex the backup copies in RMAN?
7:Which of the view is used for RMAN performance monitoring?
8:If a datafile is lost in a tablespace, how can you recover it?
9:If an object is lost, can you recover it through RMAN?
10:While taking backup through RMAN, what does %d, %t, %s, %p, %u indicate?
11:Try to see background processes while taking Backup through RMAN?
12:Try to unregister the database.
13:How many types of backups can you do by using RMAN?
14:Try to make a complete recovery through RMAN.
15:Can you take backup of datafiles and archivelog files in one shot?

Partitioned Tables & Indexes Questions


1:Try to alter partitioned table to enable row movement
2:Is it possible to update the key column of partitioned table.
3:Try to select data from particular partition.
4:Can we move partition from one tablespace to another tablespace?
5:Is it possible to add one more partition to partitioned table if one partition having range MAXVALUE?
6:Try to exchange data from one external table to partition.
7:Try to do partitions on non-partitioned table.
8:What are the views available to see partition information of table?
9:Try to reorganize a partition.
10:Try to drop and truncate a table partition.
11:Try to create composite partition with all possible combinations.
12:Is it possible to create a partitioned local index on non partitioned table?
13:What are the views available to view partitioned indexes
14:Is it possible to create a global hash partitioned index?
15:Try to create a global partitioned index on non-partitioned table.

Data Pump Questions


1:What are the packages used by oracle for performing expdp & impdp?
2:Try to create a directory and grant read, write permission on this directory to users.
3:Identify the process, which creates the master table.
4:You had taken a full database export. Can you import a single object from it?
5:What is the importance of giving a job name to when you perform expdp or impdp?
6:Identify the importance of the PARALLEL parameter.
7:How can you restart a stopped job?
8:Which parameter do you use to perform a schema level data pump export?
9:Where are the dump files and log files created with data pump export?
10:What will be the name of master table?
11:How can you know the dump file size without actually exporting?
12:Which view would you query to get the information about the ongoing and stopped jobs?
13:How can you know the status of an ongoing job?
14:With what parameter can you restrict the export of constraints, triggers?
15:Identify the advantages of Data pump export & import over the traditional export and import.
16:What is the difference between CONTINUE_CLIENT & START_JOB?

Database Links & Snapshots Questions


1:Try to create a private database link.
2:What are the three types of database links?
3:What are the views available to see the db_links?
4:Try to create a view by using db link.
5:"CREATE TABLE TEST@link1(A number);
Is this a valid statement?
6:Try to create a database link when the parameter GLOBAL_NAME value is true.
7:What are the views available to see the materialized view information?
8:What is the default value for the parameter job_queue_processes?
9:Which background process is responsible to keep track of job queue processes?
10:Which background processes are required to refresh materialized view automatically?
11:Which background process is responsible to keep track of job queue processes?
12:Which background process is started, when a parameter "Distributed_transactions is activated"?
13:What is the default refresh interval for a materialized view refresh?
14:Why do we use materialized view log?
15:Can i create a materialized view log on a master table with no primary key defined?

Temporary Segments Questions


1:Try to create a temporary segment.
2:Can Indexes and Views be created on temporary segments.
3:Which views are available to get the information about temporary segments?
4:What are the different available data types?
5:How can the constraints be disabled?
6:Try to add constraints to a temporary table.
7:How are extents allocated manually to a table?
8:Can i drop the default temporary tablespace?
9:How is unused space released from a table?
10:Create a temporary segment in tablespace user_data using uniform extent sizes of 10kb?
11:What is "ON COMMIT DELETE ROWS"?
12:What size should INITIAL and NEXT be when defining default storage for a temporary tablespace?
13:When extents are allocated to a temporary segment in a temporary tablespace, which default storage
parameter determines the size of the additional extents allocated?
14:Try to create a table in temporary tablespace whose contents are permanent.
15:Try to change a tablespace to temporary, which already has some tables.

Oracle Net Services Questions


1:Try to establish a connection to remote database using NET*8?
2:What type of transactions are not supported by using an SQL*NET alias?
3:What is the utility to check the availability of a network service?
4:Try to check the info of a session which is connected by an alias.
5:Is it possible to check an 'ALIAS' referring to your own database.
6:What is the process which has to be started at the remote server for SQL * NET connectivity?
7:Which rollback segment is activated when you are doing transaction at a remote database?
8:Which background processes to be started when you are doing transactions at remote database?
9:Try to accept multiple remote connections to your database.
10:Which view can be queried to know the information about remote connectons to a local database?
11:Try to create multiple alias names to the same database.
12:Can we set the password for a listener? If so how?

Storage Parameter Questions


1:What are the default storage parameters when a new tablespace is created?
2:Can a segment span across multiple tablespaces.
3:List different types of extent management.
4:What are the views available to see the information about default storage parameters of segments, data
files and tablespaces etc?
5:Where can the free space information for tablespaces be found?
6:Can a tablespace be coalesced manually?
7:Write a query to show the details of storage information of segments created.
8:Can we allocate an extent in a specific datafile for a segment in a tablespace.
9:Can i manage the space within a segment automatically.
10:Which view is available to see the header information of a datafile?
11:How can we specify automatic space management for a tablespace?
12:How many freelists will be allocated when you create a segment?
13:Can PCTFREE, PCTUSED be assigned for a tablespace.
14:Can the value of initial_extent be changed, after a segment is created.
15: Can the value of initial_extent and min_extents be changed for a tablespace?
16:Truncate the EMP table, releasing the space? Now, how many extents does the table hold?

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