Diff. type of Patches in RDBMS

Hi,

I want to know, what type of diff. patches are available in Oracle RDBMS. I could not search this question on this forum.

My understanding is

1 Binary Patch -

 If we want to upgrade the oracle software from 10.2.0.1 to 10.2.0.3 For this we need to download the binary patch and this can be installed on existing software using OUI only -

Ques 1 - Is there any way to know the exact patch no if i want

             to upgrade my database from x.x.0.1 to x.x.0.2
             Normally, first I search on internet and get the patch
no.
             then I download from metalink. I checked under patches
             tab also but could not figure out.

2 - Database Patch -

    I just heard this term from one DBA that database patches     are there to fix a specifically a bug.

 Ques2 - I do not have any idea like they in come in which form ..

             is this an sql file .. or what ...

             And what is they way to check what patches have
             been applied to a particular database ?

3 - Interim Patch -

     Since 9.2.0 we can apply the interim patches using Opatch.

Ques 3 - No idea, they are there to fix what type of problems ...

             and prior to 9i, they were come in which way . ?

4 - CPU Patch -

Oracle quarterly releases cpu patches to fix the security fixes.

Ques 4 - Are CPU patches cumulative ?

Is there any other type of patches available, I would be thankful if someone can help me to
understand or just can re-direct to any link available.

Thanks,
Lyxx Received on Sat Nov 03 2007 - 15:18:53 CDT