Introduction to the Oracle9i Architecture

Abstract

In this chapter, you’ll learn about the fundamental structures of the Oracle9i database. I explain in detail the various logical and physical components of the Oracle database and introduce the basic building blocks of the Oracle database: extents, segments, and tablespaces. I also explain the conceptual underpinnings of the Oracle database management system. You’ll learn the difference between an Oracle database and an Oracle instance, and you’ll understand the way Oracle uses memory. You’ll also discover how the Oracle server performs transaction processing, and you’ll cover the concepts behind many of the key Oracle database features.