What are the Oracle Database upgradation method’s?

What is database upgradation:

Database upgradation means moving existing version of database to higher release version. In the process of upgradation of database dictionary compatible with a newer oracle database version. Below actions has included in the part of upgrading.

1.        Adding, dropping, or modifying columns in system tables and views.
2.        Creating new system packages or procedures.
3.        Modifying existing system packages or procedures.
4.        Creating, modifying, or dropping database users, roles, and privileges.
5.        Modifying seed data that is used by Oracle database components.

     Why go for upgradation:

    There are numerous features releasing in oracle version by version. Those newly released features will simplifying the DBA tasks and time.

Database upgradation methods:

1.        DBUA and command line
2.        Transportable tablespace or Full Transportable Export/Import
3.        Oracle Datapump Export / Import
4.        Traditional export and import methods.

For upgradation of from lower version to higher, must verify the Database upgrade compatibility matrix and fall back strategy.

Database upgrade/downgrade compatibility matrix Doc ID 551141.1

• Prerequisites for the database upgradation / check lists:
• Cleanup: Purge the recycle bin, check the invalid and duplicate objects in SYS and SYSTEM users.
• Components: Check for mandatory, invalid components and remove the obsolete components.
• Check the materialized views: Verify the all materialized view status, refresh in-case any materialized views that are not fresh.
• Create baseline: Preserve the performance statistics.
• Backup: Take the full backup of database, binaries backup.
• Dictionary statistics: Gather the dictionary statistics, it fasts the upgradation and reduce downtime.
• Time zone:  Verify the source database timezone and target database timezone, if source database timezone is higher version of target apply the timezone patch to match the source and target databases.

Note: Must be empty the recycle bin during the upgrade process to avoid possible ORA-00600 errors, and to minimize the upgrade time.