Creating the parameter file
Every database must have an associated initialization parameter file (usually known as INIT.ORA), which provides information on the configuration of the database (see Chapter 3, and Chapter 12, for more information). When first creating a database, the INIT.ORA file only needs to contain parameter assignments, which should include:
- DB_NAME
This parameter specifies the name of the database, and must correspond to the name used in the CREATE DATABASE statement.
- DB_BLOCK_SIZE
As discussed earlier, this parameter specifies the blocksize to be used for this database.
- DB_FILES
This parameter sets the maximum number of datafiles that can be opened for this database. This parameter should be set no higher than the value of the MAXDATAFILES parameter specified during database creation.
- CONTROL_FILES
This parameter specifies the names and locations of all control files. We recommend that at least two (and, if possible, more than two) control files be created on different disk devices (and, if possible, on different controllers). Oracle automatically mirrors control file information to each file specified (see Chapter 11, for more information on control files). By creating multiple, mirrored control files, you reduce the risk of being unable to start your database if a single control file is lost or damaged.
Once you have decided on the parameters and values to be placed in the initial INIT.ORA file, the file can be created using any standard text editor. The file is expected to be in the dbs directory of ORACLE_HOME (on Unix systems, this would be $ORACLE_HOME/dbs). For some systems, the INIT.ORA file is found in the database directory of ORACLE_HOME (on Windows NT, it is found in orantdatabase). See Chapter 12, for other variants.
Tip
Be careful to use a plain text editor to create the INIT.ORA file. Do not use a word processing program, since these programs often embed control codes and other characters that may cause errors in the INIT.ORA file. If you must use a word processing program, be sure to save the file as plain text, or the equivalent, to ensure a usable file.