COMPATIBLE

Oracle Database 19.10.0 and Blockchain Tables and COMPATIBLE

Many of you recognized that we delivered a new feature with Oracle Database 19.10.0, the January 2021 Release Upgrade. So I’d like to put a few interesting things together from the upgrade and migration perspective regarding Oracle Database 19.10.0 and Blockchain Tables and COMPATIBLE.

What are Blockchain Tables?

At first, I don’t want to repeat what other people have blogged and written about already. You may just go through the blog posts of Connor McDonald and Tim Hall and others to learn more about this cool feature.

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AutoUpgrade and the COMPATIBLE parameter

Several times I’ve got asked by customers if AutoUpgrade does change the COMPATIBLE parameter. So let me explain what happens to COMPATIBLE when you upgrade. And give you also some hints about AutoUpgrade and the COMPATIBLE parameter.

AutoUpgrade and the COMPATIBLE parameter

Photo by Ivana Cajina on Unsplash

Does AutoUpgrade change COMPATIBLE?

No. Clearly, AutoUpgrade does not change the COMPATIBLE parameter for several reasons. At first, we recommend to not change the COMPATIBLE parameter right after the upgrade if you can afford another downtime soon after. By keeping COMPATIBLE on the previous (before upgrade) value, you have the choice to revert back to the previous …

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Oracle Multitenant: Be aware of the silent COMPATIBLE change

This topic is included in our Multitenant slides for a long time. But whenever I want to point somebody to the blog post, I realize that it’s not on the blog yet. Actually I discussed this topic recently during a customer visit again. It’s time to put it on the blog. When you use Oracle Multitenant: Be aware of the silent COMPATIBLE change.

Oracle Multitenant: Be aware of the silent COMPATIBLE change

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Mixed version environments

When you work with Oracle Multitenant, the sooner or later you will have mixed version environments. This may be CDBs with Oracle 12.1.0.2 or Oracle 12.2.0.1 together with …

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Database Migration from non-CDB to PDB – The COMPATIBLE pitfall

There are several pitfalls when you plugin a non-CDB into a CDB environment. I’d like to highlight some of them – and show you potential workarounds as well. This is part of a series of blog posts to make your migration from non-CDB to PDB a bit smoother.

Database Migration from non-CDB to PDB - The COMPATIBLE pitfall

Database Migration from non-CDB to PDB – The COMPATIBLE pitfall

When you migrate your non-CDB to PDB, in most cases the COMPATIBLE setting of the non-CDB will be lower than the setting of the receiving CDB. But still in this case you may see warnings. I will explain how to deal with …

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When and how should you change COMPATIBLE?

When and how should you change COMPATIBLE?

COMPATIBLE is an almost mystic parameter. It has a default setting for each release. But if you try to find more information what it really does, you won’t be very happy. And in reply to my previous blog post about whether you need to change COMPATIBLE when you apply an RU, I received the following question: When and how should you change COMPATIBLE?

What does COMPATIBLE do?

To find an answer to this question, I consulted the documentation at first. And I found this:

  • COMPATIBLE
    Setting COMPATIBLE ensures that new features do not write data formats or structures
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Should you change COMPATIBLE when you apply an RU?

I have a million ideas for blog posts. But I like it even more when people ask me to explain something on the blog which isn’t there yet but may be interesting for others as well. And Robert Ortel mailed me the other day and asked if he should change COMPATIBLE when he applies an RU for Oracle 18c. That’s a good question. And I doubt that the documentation has a good recommendation.

Should you change COMPATIBLE when you apply an RU?

No.

Should you change COMPATIBLE when you apply an RU?

That’s a short blog post this time, isn’t it? 🙂 But honestly, you shouldn’t touch COMPATIBLE for …

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Fallback Strategy: Flashback to Guaranteed Restore Points

Fallback Strategy: Flashback to Guaranteed Restore PointsYou can attempt an Oracle database upgrade without having a fallback strategy. Of course you can. If you are brave enough. But I would recommend you this Fallback Strategy: Flashback to Guaranteed Restore Points. It is simple, easy, fast. And yes, it is an Enterprise Edition only feature. I have blogged about it in the past already but I realized it need some refresh.

Fallback Strategy: Flashback to Guaranteed Restore Points

One of the fastest way to revert from a big change (i.e. a database upgrade, an application upgrade, etc) is Flashback Database to a previously created Guaranted Restore Point.…

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