Re: spfile vs pfile in 9i

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 05:55:30 +1000, "Howard J. Rogers" <hjr_at_dizwell.com> wrote:

>In summary: don't over-sell the spfile. It is merely a binary version of the
>init.ora, and intrinsically has no advantages over the init.ora at all.
>With one glaring exception: it's new, Oracle is pushing it, and has already
>developed one key piece of advanced functionality (namely Data Guard) which
>*demands* the use of an spfile. You can confidently expect there will be
>others that do the same thing as future versions materialise. Therefore,
>it's the way of the future and we might as well all get used to it.
>
>But functionally, in the terms you have used, they are identical.
>
>Regards
>HJR
>

One clear advantage there is: Instant validation.

 Assume you add a parameter to an init.ora-file (with the vi editor or so) and by accident entered a non-displayable sign into it or simple entered an invalid value. The validation will only take place at startup. With an SPfile, however,

Alter system set <parameter>=<value> scope=spfile

which is functionally equal to changing the init.ora, but Oracle will complain immediately if anything wrong.

• Kenneth Koenraadt