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How to Secure an Oracle Database 19c: Best Practices for DBAs

Oracle Database 19c is a powerful and feature-rich relational database management system. But with power comes responsibility—especially when it comes to data security . If you're a DBA, IT administrator, or developer, securing your Oracle 19c environment should be a top priority. In this post, we’ll walk through practical steps to harden and secure your Oracle 19c database against common threats and vulnerabilities. Why Database Security Matters Databases are prime targets for attackers. A breach can expose sensitive information like personal data, credit card numbers, or business secrets. Oracle 19c includes many built-in security features, but they must be properly configured . 1. Keep Your Oracle Software Updated Always apply the latest Patch Set Updates (PSUs) and Critical Patch Updates (CPUs) from Oracle. Visit Oracle’s official patch page regularly. Use Oracle OPatch utility to apply patches.  Tip: Schedule regular patch cycles and test in a staging envi...
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Upgrading to Oracle 23ai: A Step-by-Step Guide to Oracle's Next-Gen Database

Oracle has raised the bar once again with the release of Oracle Database 23ai , a forward-looking evolution of its flagship database platform. Formerly referred to as Oracle 23c, the "ai" suffix underscores Oracle's pivot toward AI-integrated capabilities —bringing new levels of automation, data management, and performance enhancements. In this blog, I’ll walk you through what’s new in Oracle 23ai and how to safely upgrade your existing Oracle database to this powerful new version. What is Oracle 23ai? Oracle 23ai is the long-term support (LTS) release in Oracle’s database lineup. It introduces groundbreaking features designed for developers, data scientists, and DBAs. Key highlights include: AI Vector Search and Embedding Support : Designed for AI/ML and LLM apps. JSON Relational Duality Views : Bridge relational and document models seamlessly. SQL Domains and Property Graphs Enhancements Automatic Index Optimization Improved In-Memory Features and M...
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Boosting Performance with Oracle Automatic Indexing: Smarter Tuning for Modern Databases

 Tuning SQL performance has always been one of the most challenging—and time-consuming—tasks for DBAs. With growing data volumes and evolving applications, finding the right indexes can feel like a never-ending puzzle. Enter Oracle Automatic Indexing , a groundbreaking feature introduced in Oracle Database 19c and continuously improved in newer versions. It’s Oracle’s answer to the question: “Why not let the database tune itself?” In this blog post, we’ll break down what Automatic Indexing is, how it works, and why it’s changing the game for performance optimization. What Is Oracle Automatic Indexing? Automatic Indexing is an AI-driven feature that allows the Oracle Database to: Monitor SQL workloads Create indexes automatically when they improve performance Test them in the background Drop unused or ineffective indexes The goal is simple: improve query performance without manual intervention , while ensuring stability and avoiding over-indexing. Unlike stat...
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Oracle Database 23ai: A Game-Changer with JSON Relational Duality Views

Oracle has once again raised the bar in the world of enterprise databases with the release of Oracle Database 23c , also known as the "App Simple" release. Among its powerful new capabilities, one feature that stands out is JSON Relational Duality Views —a forward-thinking innovation that bridges the gap between traditional relational data and modern JSON-based applications. In this blog post, we’ll explore what JSON Relational Duality Views are, why they matter, and how they could transform how developers and DBAs build and manage applications. What Are JSON Relational Duality Views? JSON Relational Duality Views are a unique feature that allows developers to query and update JSON documents directly over relational tables —without having to duplicate data or compromise performance. This means you can work with data as JSON (which developers love) while still keeping the reliability, scalability, and integrity of relational models (which DBAs and enterprises need). U...
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Book Summary: Extreme Programming Explained by Kent Beck

In the fast-paced world of software development, methodologies often come and go, but few have left a lasting impact quite like Extreme Programming (XP) . In his groundbreaking book "Extreme Programming Explained" , Kent Beck introduces not just a methodology, but a mindset shift—one that centers on collaboration, adaptability, and delivering high-quality software frequently and fearlessly. 🌟 What Is Extreme Programming (XP)? XP is a software development methodology designed to improve software quality and responsiveness to changing customer requirements. It's one of the earliest and most influential Agile methodologies, advocating for: Short development cycles (iterations) Continuous feedback Emphasis on teamwork Courage to embrace change Kent Beck, the creator of XP, outlines principles and practices that challenge traditional development norms and focus on simplicity, communication, and customer satisfaction. 🧱 Core Principles of XP Communicat...
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Welcome to the Future of Data + AI!

 If you’ve been paying attention to the buzz in the tech world lately, you’ve probably heard a lot about Generative AI (GenAI) — the tech that powers chatbots like ChatGPT and tools that can write code, create images, and even produce reports just by understanding what you say. Now imagine bringing that level of intelligence to your Oracle Database . Sounds exciting? Let’s dive into how these two powerful technologies are coming together — and what that means for developers, data analysts, and businesses.  What is Generative AI? In simple terms, Generative AI uses large language models (LLMs) to understand and generate human-like content. That could be writing emails, summarizing data, generating code, or even answering questions in natural language. When you combine that with the massive power and structure of Oracle’s enterprise databases — well, you get something special.  Oracle + GenAI = Smarter Data Workflows Oracle has been a data powerhouse for decades....
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Enhancing Database Security with Oracle Firewall 23ai

  SQL Firewall In an era where data breaches and cyberattacks are increasingly prevalent, safeguarding sensitive information has become paramount. Oracle Database 23ai introduces a robust security feature: the SQL Firewall. This built-in capability offers real-time protection against unauthorized SQL executions, ensuring that only explicitly authorized SQL statements are processed by the database. ​ Medium Oracle +3 oracle-base.com +3 Oracle Documentation +3 Oracle Documentation +1 Oracle Documentation +1 What is Oracle SQL Firewall? Oracle SQL Firewall is a security mechanism integrated directly into the Oracle Database kernel. Unlike traditional firewalls that operate at the network level, SQL Firewall functions at the database layer, inspecting all incoming SQL statements—whether they're local, network-based, encrypted, or in clear text. It employs allowlists to define which SQL statements and session contexts are permitted, blocking or logging any deviations from these p...
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