Oracle Database releases are categorized by five numeric segments that indicate release information.
Note:
Starting with October 2022, Oracle provides quarterly updates in the form of Release Updates (Updates, or RU) and Monthly Recommended Patches (MRPs). Oracle no longer releases patch sets or bundle patch sets. MRPs replace Release Update Revisions (RURs). For more information, see My Oracle Support note 555.1.
Release Numbers and their Meaning
Oracle Database releases are released in version and version_full releases.
The version release is designated in the form major release version.0.0.0.0. The major release version is based on the last two digits of the year in which an Oracle Database version is released for the first time. For example, the Oracle Database version released for the first time in the year 2023 has the major release version of 23, and thus its version release is 23.0.0.0.0. This base release number is not updated over the course of the release. You can identify the base release by logging in to SQL*Plus and entering SELECT BANNER FROM V$VERSION to see the release displayed. For example:
SELECT BANNER FROM V$VERSION; BANNER--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Oracle Database 23ai Enterprise Edition Release 23.0.0.0.0
The version_full releases are categorized by five numeric segments separated by periods as shown in the following example:
- First numeral: This numeral indicates the major release version. It also denotes the last two digits of the year in which the Oracle Database version was released for the first time.
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Second numeral: This numeral indicates the release update level. In this example, the release update is Release Update (RU) 4 (04).
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Third numeral: This numeral indicates a refresh of an RU or a Monthly Recommended Patch (MRP) version. In this example, the numeral is 0, indicating that this is the initial release of Release Update 4.
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Fourth numeral: The fourth numeral indicates the year of release for the software, RU, or MRP, by last two digits. In this example, the year is 2024 (24).
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Fifth numeral: This numeral indicates the month (01 through 12) in which a release, RU, or MRP was released. In this example, the month is March (03).
Note:
The first three numerals mainly identify an Oracle Database release.
You can see both the major release version and the compatibility and any RU or MRP updates by entering SELECT BANNER_FULL FROM V$VERSION. For example:
SQL> SELECT BANNER_FULL FROM V$VERSION; BANNER_FULL--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Oracle Database 23ai Enterprise Edition Release 23.0.0.0.0 Version 23.4.0.24.5
Monthly Recommended Patches and Release Updates
For each new release update (RU) after October 2022, Oracle provides to customers six MRPs for each RU, with the following characteristics:
- Each MRP for an RU contains all MRPs previously released for the RU, as well as the most current set of recommended one-off patches for the RU. These patches are documented My Oracle Support Note 555.1
- MRPs replace RURs.
- MRPs are available only for the Linux operating system.
FAQs
Oracle Database 23c (Long-Term Release):
Released on September 19, 2023, this long-term release (LTR) builds upon the foundation of Oracle Database 21c's innovation release, incorporating over 300 new features and enhancements. Key focus areas encompass JSON, graph, microservices, and developer productivity.
How to check Oracle Database release? ›
To check the Oracle database version, you can run the following SQL query: “SELECT * FROM v$version;” in SQL*Plus or any SQL client.
What is an Oracle release? ›
Oracle Database releases are released in version and version_full releases. The version release is designated in the form major release version. 0.0. 0.0 . The major release version is based on the last two digits of the year in which an Oracle Database version is released for the first time.
What is the largest long-term release of an Oracle Database? ›
Oracle Database Release Roadmap
| Release | Patching End Date |
|---|
| 23ai Long Term Release | April 30, 2032 |
| 21c Innovation Release | April 30, 2025 |
| 19c Long Term Release | April 30, 2026 with Premier Support April 30, 2027 with ES/ULA |
| 18c Innovation Release | Jun 30, 2021 |
4 more rowsAug 14, 2024
Typically, production environments are patched on the third Friday of the month. Oracle notifies Service Administrators of the updates included in each patch. For minor patch releases, Oracle typically provides one week advance notification before patching the test environment.
What will replace Oracle? ›
Top Oracle Alternatives
- Microsoft.
- IBM.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- MongoDB.
- Google.
- SAP.
- MariaDB.
- Cloudera.
Releases and versions
| Oracle Database Version | Initial Release Version | Terminal Version |
|---|
| Oracle v4 | 4.1.4.0 | 4.1.4.4 |
| Oracle v3 | 3.1.3 | |
| Oracle v2 | 2.3 | |
| Legend: Old version, not maintained Old version, still maintained Latest version |
22 more rowsOracle changed the version number scheme back with Oracle 18c (12.2. 0.2), in an attempt to be more in line with the way Cloud releases are described and numbered. So Oracle 19c is actually equivalent to 12.2. 0.3, and it will be supported through 2023, with Extended Support into 2026.
How can I check Oracle database status? ›
You can check the status of your DB systems using the following steps.
- Open the navigation menu. Select Oracle Database, then select Oracle Base Database.
- Choose your Compartment. A list of database systems is displayed.
- In the list of DB systems, find the system you're interested in and check its icon.
Release sequence rule enables you to specify the order in which the picking lines are pick released to inventory. You must assign a release priority in ascending or descending order to the selected release sequence.
The Release Management process allows users to control the flow of database information from a source environment to a target environment. It establishes a repeatable release process and provides structure to the configuration experience.
How to launch Oracle Database? ›
To start or shut down Oracle Database:
- Go to your Oracle Database server.
- Start SQL*Plus at the command prompt: C:\> sqlplus /NOLOG.
- Connect to Oracle Database with username SYSDBA: SQL> CONNECT / AS SYSDBA.
- To start a database, enter: SQL> STARTUP [PFILE=path\filename] ...
- To stop a database, enter: SQL> SHUTDOWN [mode]
Yes, Oracle is still considered one of the best databases, as it continues to dominate the enterprise market and has received high scores in database management evaluations.
What is the fastest database in Oracle? ›
TimesTen: Fastest OLTP Database, Ultra High Availability, Elastic Scalability. Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database is a full-featured, memory-optimized, relational database that delivers microsecond response and extremely high throughput performance for mission critical applications in a wide range of industries.
What does Oracle stand for? ›
The ORACLE or Oak Ridge Automatic Computer and Logical Engine, an early computer built by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, was based on the IAS architecture developed by John von Neumann.
Is the Oracle 21c long term release? ›
Oracle 21c is an innovation release, which means it has a short support lifespan. For many production systems you should probably stick with Oracle 19c until the next long term release (23ai) is available.
Is Oracle 23C a long term release? ›
The 23C release is termed as a long term release as it allows developers and data engineers to access formats for each use case without worrying about data structure, data mapping, data consistency, or performance tuning. They can now also run graph analytics on top of both relational and JSON data.
What is the difference between Oracle 12c and 19c? ›
Compared to Oracle 12c, which boasts ground-breaking capabilities like pluggable databases and multitenant architecture, Oracle 19c has better performance, more security, and seamless cloud integration. Both are impressive, but 19c's tricks leave you spellbound.
What version of Oracle is running? ›
You can check the Oracle version by running a query from the command prompt. The version information is stored in a table called v$version. In this table you can find the version information for Oracle, PL/SQL, etc.
