Instance = SGA Memory and Background processes, A Database = physical files (data, redo, and control Processes

Memory Structures

Files

Background Processes

Background Processes
SMON SNPn SNPn LCKn LCKn RECO Snnn Dnnn Pnnn

PMON

SGA
Shared Pool Database Buffer Cache

DBWR LGWR

Redo Log Buffer

CKPT

ARCH

PMON (Process Monitor)

Cleans up abnormally terminated connections. Rolls back uncommitted transactions. Releases locks held by a terminated process.

Frees SGA resources allocated to the failed process. Restarts failed shared server and dispatcher processes.

SMON (System Monitor)

Performs automatic instance recovery. Reclaims space used by temporary segments no longer in use. Merges contiguous areas of free space in the datafiles.

CKPT (Checkpoint Process)

Updates the database status information after changes are permanently written to the database file from the buffer cache.

An Oracle Database

Datafiles
Database file

Control Files

Redo Log Files

-Data files -Redo log files -Control files -Parameter file -Password file -Archived redo log files

Control Files
All necessary database files and log files are identified in the control file. The name of the database is stored in the control file. A control file is required to mount, open, and access the database.

Synchronization information needed for recovery is stored inside the control file. The recommended configuration is a minimum of two control files on different disks. The parameter CONTROL_FILES identifies the control files.

Sumary
Oracle Instance SMON PMON Pnnn SNPn SNPn LCKn LCKn RECO Snnn Dnnn

SGA
DBWR Shared Pool Database Buffer Cache

Redo Log Buffer

CKPT

LGWR

ARCH

Server Processes

User Processes Oracle Database

Parameter File

Control Files

Datafiles

Redo Log Files

Accessing and Updating Data

Overview

System Global Area (SGA)

Shared Pool Database Buffer Cache Redo Log Buffer

Shared SQL Areas Server Processes User Processes

DBWR

Datafiles

User Request

SGA

P
Stack GA Space User Session Data

Server Processes

User Processes

User Request

Query Processing
Parse: checks syntax Execute: Fetch: returns data to user Shared Pool

SGA
Database Buffer Cache

Shared SQL Areas

Server Processes

User Processes

SQL> SELECT first_name FROM s_emp;