Re: 9i Newbie : spfile, sql-backtrack questions

In article <a96pik041f_at_drn.newsguy.com>, Thomas says...
>
>In article <a95rth01bdv_at_drn.newsguy.com>, Pete says...
>>
>>In article <3CB5F7C5.7991AD6B_at_mytoys.de>, Knut says...
>>>
>>>>Scope SPFILE writes only to the SPFILE, and only takes effect when you restart
>>>> the database. Only needed for the few remaining static parameters (like
>>>> UTL_FILE_DIR).
>>>
>>>BTW, does anybody know why UTL_FILE_DIR still is not system or session
>>>modifiable?
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>
>>>Knut
>>Not sure but probably security reasons. At least by having it default to *
>>(which is the default from memory) Oracle can write to any directory that the
>>Oracle account can reach.
>>
>
>the default is NOTHING (blank) and "*" is a really bad idea.
>
>Anyone would be able to
>
>utl_file.fopen( '/u01/app/oracle/oradata/', 'system.dbf' );
>
>and on most unix'es that would "erase" -- unlink the system.dbf file causing for
>some serious heartburn on the next restart!

Good pickup Tom. Obvious advice here - don't read newsgroups from home when you're having problems getting to sleep! ;)

I did a bit more investigation and found the reason for my moronic statement - all the instances I've used UTL_FILE_DIR on in 9i have been on Education machines, and they set it to '*' in their setup scripts to make life easier for the courses we were doing. AT least now I know I wasn't a complete idiot!

(We'll have no responses from anyone to the contrary thank you very much!)
>
>
>>HTH. Additions and corrections welcome.
>>
>>Pete
>>
>>SELECT standard_disclaimer, witty_remark FROM company_requirements;
>>
>
>--
>Thomas Kyte (tkyte@us.oracle.com) http://asktom.oracle.com/
>Expert one on one Oracle, programming techniques and solutions for Oracle.
>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1861004826/
>Opinions are mine and do not necessarily reflect those of Oracle Corp
>

HTH. Additions and corrections welcome.

Pete

SELECT standard_disclaimer, witty_remark FROM company_requirements; Received on Sat Apr 13 2002 - 22:05:25 CDT