Instance = SGA Memory and Background processes, 

A Database = physical files (data, redo, and control

Processes

Memory Structures

Files

Background Processes

Background Processes

SMON SNPn LCKn RECO Snnn Dnnn Pnnn

PMON
SGA Redo Log  CKPT
Shared Pool Database Buffer Cache Buffer
DBWR

ARCH
LGWR

PMON (Process Monitor)

• Cleans up abnormally terminated connections.
• Rolls back uncommitted transactions.
• Releases locks held by a terminated process.
 • Frees SGA resources allocated to the failed process.
• Restarts failed shared server and dispatcher processes.

SMON (System Monitor)

• Performs automatic instance recovery.
• Reclaims space used by temporary segments no longer in use.
• Merges contiguous areas of free space in the datafiles.

CKPT (Checkpoint Process)

Updates the database status information after changes are permanently written to the
database file from the buffer cache.

An Oracle Database

Redo Log
Datafiles Control Files
Files
Database file
-Data files
-Redo log files
-Control files
-Parameter file
-Password file
-Archived redo log files

Control Files
• All necessary database files and log files are identified in the control file.
• The name of the database is stored in the control file.
• A control file is required to mount, open, and access the database.
 • Synchronization information needed for recovery is stored inside the control
file.
• The recommended configuration is a minimum of two control files on
different disks.
• The parameter CONTROL_FILES identifies the control files.

Sumary
Oracle Instance
SMON SNPn
SNPn LCKn
LCKn RECO Snnn Dnnn
PMON
Pnnn
SGA Redo Log Buffer
DBWR Shared Pool Database Buffer Cache
CKPT

LGWR ARCH

Server  Processes User Processes

Oracle Database

Parameter File Control Files Datafiles Redo Log Files

Accessing and Updating Data
Overview

 System Global Area (SGA)
Shared Pool Database Buffer Cache Redo Log Buffer

Shared SQL
Areas DBWR
Server 
Processes

User
Processes
Datafiles

User Request
 SGA

 PGA
 Stack  User Server 
 Space  Session Processes
 Data

User
Processes User Request

Query Processing

 Parse: checks syntax

 Execute:
 Fetch: returns data to user

Shared Pool SGA
Database Buffer Cache

Shared SQL Areas

Server  
Processes

User Processes
SQL> SELECT first_name FROM s_emp;