Oracle 11g vs. Oracle 12c: Unraveling the Evolution of Oracle Database

Oracle, a renowned provider of database management systems, has continually evolved its offerings to meet the ever-changing demands of the data-driven world. Two prominent versions in the Oracle Database family, Oracle 11g and Oracle 12c, have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of enterprise data management. In this article, we explore the key differences between Oracle 11g and Oracle 12c, shedding light on the advancements and new features introduced in Oracle 12c.

Database Architecture:

Oracle 11g: Oracle 11g follows the traditional architecture of a single-tenant model, where each database runs in a separate instance.

Oracle 12c: Oracle 12c introduces a revolutionary concept known as Multitenant Architecture, enabling the creation of pluggable databases (PDBs) within a container database (CDB). This architecture allows for efficient management of multiple databases as a single entity, reducing administrative overhead.

Data Redaction:

Oracle 11g: Data redaction was not available in Oracle 11g. Data masking techniques had to be implemented manually to protect sensitive information.

Oracle 12c: Oracle 12c introduces native Data Redaction, a powerful feature that enables automatic redaction of sensitive data at runtime, based on predefined policies. This feature simplifies data protection and enhances compliance with privacy regulations.

Database In-Memory:

Oracle 11g: Oracle 11g does not have a dedicated in-memory column store, limiting the ability to leverage the full potential of in-memory data processing.

Oracle 12c: Oracle 12c introduces the groundbreaking Database In-Memory option, which allows for the rapid retrieval and analysis of data stored in memory. This feature significantly improves query performance and enables real-time analytics on large datasets.

Partitioning Enhancements:

Oracle 11g: Oracle 11g offers basic partitioning capabilities to enhance performance and manageability.

Oracle 12c: Oracle 12c introduces several enhancements to partitioning, including interval partitioning, reference partitioning, and cascading truncates, providing more flexibility and ease in managing large datasets.

Automatic Data Optimization (ADO):

Oracle 11g: Automatic Data Optimization was not available in Oracle 11g.

Oracle 12c: Oracle 12c introduces Automatic Data Optimization, a feature that enables the automated compression and movement of data between different tiers of storage based on defined policies. This feature helps optimize storage utilization and improves overall database performance.

Pluggable Database (PDB) and Application Container:

Oracle 11g: Oracle 11g does not support the concept of pluggable databases (PDBs) or application containers.

Oracle 12c: Oracle 12c introduces the concept of pluggable databases (PDBs) within a container database (CDB). This architecture allows for easy consolidation and management of multiple databases as well as the ability to plug in different applications into the container database.

Conclusion:

Oracle 12c represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of Oracle Database compared to its predecessor, Oracle 11g. With the introduction of Multitenant Architecture, native Data Redaction, Database In-Memory, and various other enhancements, Oracle 12c offers improved performance, scalability, and manageability for enterprises. As organizations strive to handle growing data volumes and optimize data management processes, Oracle 12c provides a powerful and feature-rich solution to meet their evolving needs.