10gR2 features part#1

Spent some time playing with the 10gR2 instance today, some things are quite nice. Sort operations are definitely faster, several of our reporting queries are 10-20% faster and the new functionally of rman is truly amazing, tape library support etc.

Example how to use restore points.
Ok, to be honest this could "almost" be done in 10gR1 as well, we did have flashbacks to SCN's and timestamps but this is easier to manage.
You must the database in a media recovery state (archivelog enabled.)

[ enable database flashbacks (if you haven't done so already) ]
SQL> SHUTDOWN TRANSACTIONAL;
SQL> STARTUP MOUNT;
SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET DB_FLASHBACK_RETENTION_TARGET=720 scope=spfile;
SQL> ALTER DATABASE FLASHBACK ON;
SQL> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;
[ create a database restore point ]
SQL> CREATE RESTORE POINT TEST_POINT1 GUARANTEE FLASHBACK DATABASE;
SQL> SELECT NAME, TIME FROM V$RESTORE_POINT;
[ do stuff ]
[ damn, broke things]
[ lets flashback the database to it's previous state ]
SQL> SHUTDOWN TRANSACTIONAL;
SQL> STARTUP MOUNT;
SQL> FLASHBACK DATABASE TO RESTORE POINT TEST_POINT1;
SQL> ALTER DATABASE OPEN NORESETLOGS;
SQL> DROP RESTORE POINT TEST_POINT1;

Oracle documentation for restore points.