Oracle Flashback Technologies

Feb 25, 2010

COUG Presentation Feb 2010

Ray Smith
raymond.smith@cgi.com
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Agenda:

What are my objectives today?

Introduce you to some flashback technologies
Raise your awareness of whats available
I wont go over everything, 1 hour, not 5 days..
Maybe light a spark so youll go play too.

Fly through the slides as quickly as possible.

Go break my system and fix it lots of times

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Flashback technologies

Flashback Query
Flashback Table
Flashback Drop
Flashback Versions Query
Flashback Transaction Query
Flashback Database
Flashback Data Archive

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Flashback technologies

Flashback Query
SQL> exec dbms_flashback package.. 9i R1.
Scary code:
DECLARE
CURSOR emp_cur IS
SELECT * FROM EMPLOYEE;
v_rec emp_cur%rowtype;
BEGIN
DBMS_FLASHBACK.ENABLE_AT_TIME ('25-FEB-10 08:10:58');
open emp_cur;
DBMS_FLASHBACK.DISABLE;
LOOP
fetch emp_cur into v_rec;
EXIT WHEN emp_cur%NOTFOUND;
INSERT INTO EMPLOYEE_TEMP VALUES
(v_rec.emp_id, v_rec.name, v_rec.age );
END LOOP;
close emp_cur;
COMMIT;
END;

SQL> SELECT .. FROM.. AS OF. WHERE

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Flashback technologies

Flashback Table
SQL> flashback table to timestamp
SQL> flashback table to SCN
Flashback Drop
Use of Recyclebin
flashback table to before drop;

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Flashback technologies

Flashback Versions Query

Ability to capture changes to data over a given time.
VERSIONS_STARTTIME (start timestamp of version);
VERSIONS_STARTSCN (start SCN of version);
VERSIONS_ENDTIME (end timestamp of version);
VERSIONS_ENDSCN (end SCN of version);
VERSIONS_XID (transaction ID of version); and
VERSIONS_OPERATION (DML operation of version).

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Flashback technologies

Flashback Transaction Query

Who run that? What was it? What is the UNDO code?
Use of FLASHBACK_TRANSACTION_QUERY
SQL> ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA;
SQL> select * from FLASHBACK_TRANSACTION_QUERY
where xid= HEXTORAW('0003001A0000010D');

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Flashback technologies

Flashback Database through RESETLOGS (10.2)

Create a flash recovery area
Restart database ( mount exclusive )
SQL> ALTER DATASE FLASHBACK ON;
SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET db_flashback_retention_target =
<number_of_minutes>;
SQL> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;
Restore Points
create restore point PREQA_TESTING;
create restore point PREQA_TESTING guarantee flashback
database;
drop restore point PREQA_TESTING;

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Flashback technologies

Flashback Data Archive

SQL> create FLASHBACK ARCHIVE default <flasharea>
tablespace <flash_tablespace> quota 200M retention 1
MONTH;
SQL> alter table <table> flashback archive <flasharea>;

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Why are DBAs avoiding using Flashback
options?

Complicated to setup I think..

Too confusing.. I dont have time to figure it out
It slows down my system.. I think
Its new, so probably not so reliable

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Why DBAs should get to know it

Its actually quite good.

It can seriously save your bacon.
Fast recoveries

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How do you configure Flashback?

It Depends..
Flashback Query no setup required Just undo
Flashback Table no setup required Just undo
Flashback Drop Recyclebin on by default.
Flashback Versions - no setup required Just undo
Flashback Database Requires a flash recovery area / feature
to be switched on.
Flashback Transaction may require supplimental data
Flashback Data Archives needs flashback tablespace

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How to Flashback Database?

FLASHBACK DATABASE TO [BEFORE] SCN

<system_change_number>
FLASHBACK DATABASE TO [BEFORE]
TIMESTAMP <system_timestamp_value>
FLASHBACK DATABASE
TO [BEFORE] RESTORE POINT
<restore_point_name>

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Live Demo

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Summary

Start playing with flashback.

Potential issues
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-08185: Flashback not supported for user SYS

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