Re: Restore Oracle 8i database

I will disagree that "exports are not backups" in Oracle terminology.
>From the OracleŽ Database Backup and Recovery Basics
10g Release 1 (10.1) Part Number B10735-01, Glossary.

logical backups
Backups in which an Oracle export utility extracts database data and then saves it to a binary file at the operating system level. You can then import the data back into a database with the corresponding Oracle import utility.

You can find mention of logical backups used in the Concept manual, the Backup and Recover Basics manual, and in the Backup and Recovery Advanced User's Guide so I think it has to be accepted as official Oralce terminology.

There are limitations to logical backups made via the export utility such as potential application data inconsistencies if the export is made while the database is in use but until recently an exp/imp was the only supported method for moving Oracle database accross different vendor platforms.

I can understand Daniel's point in that a 'real' backup is physical; Physical backups have advantages, but in some cases, usually test, logical backups are good enough. Even in production logical backups have their uses including logical standby databases.

IMHO -- Mark D Powell -- Received on Fri Jun 17 2005 - 09:38:23 CDT