# Oracle Database Administration/Environment

This lesson introduces the Oracle database environment.

## Objectives and Skills

Objectives and skills for the database environment portion of Oracle Database Administration I certification include:
* Preparing the Database Environment
** Identify the tools for Administering an Oracle Database
** Plan an Oracle Database installation
** Install the Oracle software by using Oracle Universal Installer (OUI)
* Creating an Oracle Database
** Create a database by using the Database Configuration Assistant (DBCA)

## Readings

* Wikipedia: Oracle Database
* Wikipedia: SQL*Plus
* Wikipedia: Oracle SQL Developer
* Wikipedia: Oracle Enterprise Manager
* Oracle: Database 2-Day DBA Introduction
* Oracle: Database 2-Day DBA Installing Oracle Database and Creating a Database

## Multimedia

* YouTube: Downloading Oracle Software
* YouTube: Install Oracle on Windows
* YouTube: Install Oracle Client Software
* YouTube: Creating an Oracle Database
* YouTube: Using SQL Plus
* YouTube: Download & Install SQL Developer
* YouTube: Using SQL Developer
* YouTube: Deinstalling & Reinstalling Oracle
* YouTube: Rerunning netca ntemgr dbca

## Activities

* Download Oracle Database 11g Release 2 Enterprise Edition.
** Download both disks for Oracle Database 11g Release 2 Enterprise Edition from Oracle: Database Software Downloads.
** Extract the files from both disks into a single combined folder structure for installation.
* Install Oracle Database.
** Complete the tutorial Oracle: Installing the Software Using the Oracle Universal Installer (OUI).
* Create a database.
** Complete the tutorial Oracle: Using the Database Configuration Assistant (DBCA) to Create a Database.
* Use SQL*PLUS to connect to the database.
** At a command prompt, enter the following command to connect to the database: sqlplus / as sysdba
** In SQL*PLUS, enter the following query to verify the database name: SELECT NAME FROM V$DATABASE;
** Enter the following command to exit SQL*PLUS: exit
* Use Oracle SQL Developer to connect to the database.
** Review Oracle: Installing Oracle SQL Developer.
** Download and install Java SE Development Kit.
** Download and install Oracle SQL Developer.
** Run SQL Developer.
** Add a connection to your server. Include username, password, hostname or ip address, and port number. Test and save the connection.
** Double-click on the connection to connect.
** In the connection worksheet, enter the following: SELECT NAME FROM V$DATABASE;
** Run the query.
** Close SQL Developer.
* Configure database options.
** Review Oracle: Creating and Managing a Database with DBCA.
** Use DBCA to change the database to Shared Server Mode.
* Delete a database.
** Review Oracle: Creating and Managing a Database with DBCA.
** Use DBCA to delete the database created above.
* Create a database and examine creation scripts.
** Review Oracle: Creating and Managing a Database with DBCA.
** Use DBCA to create a database named orcl. Use the default settings, but under Creation Options, choose Generate Database Creation Scripts. Note the location of the scripts. While the database is being created, examine the scripts Oracle is using to create the database.

## Lesson Summary

* An Oracle database is a collection of physical files on one or more disks.
* The database contains user data, metadata, and control structures.
* The Oracle instance is composed of background processes, shared memory areas, server processes, Oracle NET, and the Oracle Net listener.
* Oracle Universal Installer (OUI) is a utility that installs your Oracle software and options. It can automatically start Oracle Database Configuration Assistant to install a database.
* Oracle Database Configuration Assistant (DBCA) is a utility that creates a database from templates that are supplied by Oracle, or you can create your own.
* Database Upgrade Assistant is a tool that guides you through the upgrade of your existing database to a new Oracle Database release.
* Net Configuration Assistant is a utility that enables you to configure listeners and naming methods, which are critical components of the Oracle Database network.
* Oracle Enterprise Manager Database Control is a web-based interface and the primary product for managing your database.
* SQL*Plus is an Oracle Database utility, with a basic command-line interface, commonly used by users, administrators, and programmers.
* Oracle SQL Developer (SQLDeveloper) is an integrated development environment (IDE) for working with SQL in Oracle databases using the Java Development Kit.
* Oracle Net Manager is a graphical user interface tool primarily used to configure Oracle Net Services for an Oracle home on a local client or server host.
* Oracle Net Configuration Assistant is a wizard-based tool with a graphical user interface used to configure basic Oracle Net network components and to configure Oracle home for directory server usage.
* Oracle Data Pump technology enables very high-speed movement of data and metadata from one database to another.
* SQL*Loader loads data from external files into tables of an Oracle database.
* Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN), a command-line and Enterprise Manager-based tool, is the preferred method for efficiently backing up and recovering an Oracle database.
* Oracle Optimal Flexible Architecture (OFA) helps organize database software and configure databases to allow multiple databases, of different versions, owned by different users to coexist on the same server.
* ORACLE_BASE is the root of the Oracle Database directory tree.
* ORACLE_HOME corresponds to the environment in which Oracle Database products run for a given instance.

## See Also

* Oracle: Universal Installer Concepts Guide
* Oracle: SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference
* Oracle: SQL Developer User's Guide