How do I start up and shut down a database?

There are several methods available for database startup and shutdown. ORACLEINS (the Oracle install program) and SQLDBA both have menu driven methods to start or stop a database.

Alternatively use command files. The following commands will start a database called SALES (the command INSORACLE will install various shared images which improve Oracle performance):

$ @ORA_ROOT:[DB_SALES]ORAUSER_SALES
$ INSORACLE
$ @ORA_ROOT:[DB_SALES]STARTUP_EXCLUSIVE_SALES

To start this database automatically when the VMS system is rebooted place these commands in a command procedure, e.g. DUA0:[[ORACLE7]]START_SALES.COM. Then edit the system startup file SYS$MANAGER:SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM and add the following command at the end of the file:

$ SUBMIT/USER=ORACLE7 DUA0:[ORACLE7]START_SALES

This will start a batch job running under the Oracle7 user account which will start up the database instance SALES.

A database can be shut down by running the command procedure SHUTDOWN_dbname.COM which is found in the database's home directory.