Chapter 6. Storage Structure and Relationships

Terms you'll need to understand:

• Table segment and table partition segment

• Index segment and index partition segment

• Cluster segment

• Index organized table segment

• Undo segment

• Temporary segment

• LOB segment

• Nested table segment

• Bootstrap segment

• Automatic segment space management

• Manual segment space management

Concepts you'll need to master:

• Describe the logical structure of the database.

• List the segment types and their uses.

• List the keywords that control block space usage.

• Obtain relevant information about storage structures from the data dictionary.

• Identify the physical structure of the storage structures within the database.

• List segment types and their uses.

• Identify keywords controlling block space usage.

In Chapter 1, "Oracle Architectural Components," we looked at the storage structures of a database, its tablespaces and their data files. In this chapter, we continue that discussion by examining database storage, segments, extents, and database blocks.

Recall that tablespaces are made up of different segments, segments are made up of extents, and extents are made up of database blocks.