Which control file should be used to do recovery?

Hi, oracle gurus:

I have a couple of questions about oracle db backup and recovery.

We have an oracle database (8.0.5) running in archivelog mode on a unix machine. Every night we backup archived log files to another unix box. And every weekend we do a cold backup. As an example, say

on 4/17/99 (Sat), we do a cold backup by doing: 1.shutdown the db, 2. OS copy all datafile, control file, init.ora file and on-line redo log file. 3. start database 4. do a full database export

Then on each night, we only copy archived redo log files (not backing control file every night).

Assuming we have not done any "structure change" to the db (not dropping or adding tabelspace, renaming datafile), and on 4/22/99, we had a db crash and db was corrupted. We want to do db recorvey starting from 4/17/99's cold back.

So, my questions are:

1. Should I use 4/17/99's control file, or should I use 4/22/99's control file to do recovery? I think I can use 4/17/99's control file and do something like:

RECOVER DATABASE USING BACKUP CONTROLFILE; Is this correct?

2. I notice even without "structure change", the control file keeps changing. I made serveral copies of control file at different point of time and use unix "diff" to see if there is any change. If the control file keeps changing, could I use old cold control file to do recovery or should I backup control file every day?

If you reply, please send a copy to zlmei_at_hotmail.com

Thanks in advance.

Guang

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==---------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own Received on Fri Apr 23 1999 - 15:05:05 CDT