Oracle database versions are typically characterized by five integers separated
by periods.
RDBMS Version -> x1.x2.x3.x4.x5.
For
example, a commonly used version is 8.1.7.0.0. Another commonly
used version of the RDBMS that is slightly older is 8.1.6.0.0. The
latest version of the Oracle RDBMS is 9.2.0.0.0, which is better
known as Oracle 9i.
RDBMS
upgrades that involve a change in the first release number, x1,
are known as major revision upgrades. An example of a major revision
upgrade would be upgrading the database from 8.1.7.0.0 to 9.2.0.0.0.
RDBMS upgrades that involve a change in the second and/or third release numbers
are known as minor revision upgrades. An example of a minor revision
upgrade would be upgrading the database from 8.1.6.0.0 to 8.1.7.4.0.
For information on how to apply major and minor revision upgrades, click here.
Finally,
RDBMS upgrades that involve a change in the fourth or fifth release numbers
are known as patch revision upgrades. An example of a patch upgrade
would be upgrading the database from 8.1.7.0.0 to 8.1.7.4.0.
Patch releases are available from Oracle's ftp
site and are free of charge. For information on how to apply patch
upgrades, click here.
