Flashback New Features and Enhancements in Oracle

Database 10g
Oracle9i introduced the DBMS_FLASHBACK package to allow
queries to reference older versions of the database. Oracle 10g
has taken this technology a step further making it simpler to use
and much more flexible.
Note: Internally Oracle uses SCNs to track changes so any
flashback operation that uses a timestamp must be translated into
the nearest SCN which can result in a 3 second error.

Flashback Query
Flashback Version Query

Flashback Transaction Query

Flashback Table

Flashback Drop (Recycle Bin)

Flashback Database

Flashback Query Functions

Flashback Query
Flashback Query allows the contents of a table to be queried with
reference to a specific point in time, using the AS OF clause.
Essentially it is the same as the DBMS_FLASHBACK functionality
or Oracle9i, but in a more convenient form. For example:
CREATE TABLE flashback_query_test (
id NUMBER(10)
);

SELECT current_scn, TO_CHAR(SYSTIMESTAMP, 'YYYYMM-DD HH24:MI:SS') FROM v$database;

CURRENT_SCN TO_CHAR(SYSTIMESTAM
----------- ------------------722452 2004-03-29 13:34:12
INSERT INTO flashback_query_test (id) VALUES
(1);
COMMIT;
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM flashback_query_test;
COUNT(*)
---------1
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM flashback_query_test AS OF
TIMESTAMP TO_TIMESTAMP('2004-03-29 13:34:12',
'YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS');
COUNT(*)
---------0
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM flashback_query_test AS OF
SCN 722452;
COUNT(*)
---------0
Flashback Version Query

Flashback version query allows the versions of a specific row to

be tracked during a specified time period using the VERSIONS
BETWEEN clause:
CREATE TABLE flashback_version_query_test (
id
NUMBER(10),
description VARCHAR2(50)
);
INSERT INTO flashback_version_query_test (id,
description) VALUES (1, 'ONE');
COMMIT;
SELECT current_scn, TO_CHAR(SYSTIMESTAMP, 'YYYYMM-DD HH24:MI:SS') FROM v$database;
CURRENT_SCN TO_CHAR(SYSTIMESTAM
----------- ------------------725202 2004-03-29 14:59:08
UPDATE flashback_version_query_test SET
description = 'TWO' WHERE id = 1;
COMMIT;
UPDATE flashback_version_query_test SET
description = 'THREE' WHERE id = 1;
COMMIT;
SELECT current_scn, TO_CHAR(SYSTIMESTAMP, 'YYYYMM-DD HH24:MI:SS') FROM v$database;
CURRENT_SCN TO_CHAR(SYSTIMESTAM
----------- ------------------725219 2004-03-29 14:59:36

COLUMN versions_startscn FORMAT

99999999999999999
COLUMN versions_starttime FORMAT A24
COLUMN versions_endscn FORMAT 99999999999999999
COLUMN versions_endtime FORMAT A24
COLUMN versions_xid FORMAT A16
COLUMN versions_operation FORMAT A1
COLUMN description FORMAT A11
SET LINESIZE 200
SELECT versions_startscn, versions_starttime,
versions_endscn, versions_endtime,
versions_xid, versions_operation,
description
FROM
flashback_version_query_test
VERSIONS BETWEEN TIMESTAMP
TO_TIMESTAMP('2004-03-29 14:59:08', 'YYYY-MM-DD
HH24:MI:SS')
AND TO_TIMESTAMP('2004-03-29 14:59:36',
'YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS')
WHERE id = 1;
VERSIONS_STARTSCN VERSIONS_STARTTIME
VERSIONS_ENDSCN VERSIONS_ENDTIME
VERSIONS_XID
V DESCRIPTION
------------------ ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- - ----------725212 29-MAR-04 02.59.16 PM
02001C0043030000 U THREE
725209 29-MAR-04 02.59.16 PM
725212 29-MAR-04 02.59.16 PM
0600030021000000
U TWO

725209 29-MAR-04 02.59.16 PM

ONE
SELECT versions_startscn, versions_starttime,
versions_endscn, versions_endtime,
versions_xid, versions_operation,
description
FROM
flashback_version_query_test
VERSIONS BETWEEN SCN 725202 AND 725219
WHERE id = 1;
VERSIONS_STARTSCN VERSIONS_STARTTIME
VERSIONS_ENDSCN VERSIONS_ENDTIME
VERSIONS_XID
V DESCRIPTION
------------------ ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- - ----------725212 29-MAR-04 02.59.16 PM
02001C0043030000 U THREE
725209 29-MAR-04 02.59.16 PM
725212 29-MAR-04 02.59.16 PM
0600030021000000
U TWO
725209 29-MAR-04 02.59.16 PM
ONE
The available pseudocolumn meanings are:

VERSIONS_STARTSCN or VERSIONS_STARTTIME - Starting

SCN and TIMESTAMP when row took on this value. The
value of NULL is returned if the row was created before the
lower bound SCN ot TIMESTAMP.
VERSIONS_ENDSCN or VERSIONS_ENDTIME - Ending SCN
and TIMESTAMP when row last contained this value. The

value of NULL is returned if the value of the row is still

current at the upper bound SCN ot TIMESTAMP.

VERSIONS_XID - ID of the transaction that created the row

in it's current state.

VERSIONS_OPERATION - Operation performed by the

transaction ((I)nsert, (U)pdate or (D)elete)

Flashback Transaction Query

Flashback transaction query can be used to get extra information
about the transactions listed by flashback version queries. The
VERSIONS_XID column values from a flashback version query
can be used to query the FLASHBACK_TRANSACTION_QUERY
view like:
SELECT xid, operation, start_scn,commit_scn,
logon_user, undo_sql
FROM
flashback_transaction_query
WHERE xid = HEXTORAW('0600030021000000');
XID
OPERATION
START_SCN COMMIT_SCN
----------------------------------------------- ------------------LOGON_USER
-----------------------------UNDO_SQL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0600030021000000 UPDATE
725208
725209

SCOTT
update "SCOTT"."FLASHBACK_VERSION_QUERY_TEST"
set "DESCRIPTION" = 'ONE' where ROWID =
'AAAMP9AAEAAAA
AYAAA';
0600030021000000 BEGIN
725208
725209
SCOTT
XID
OPERATION
START_SCN COMMIT_SCN
----------------------------------------------- ------------------LOGON_USER
-----------------------------UNDO_SQL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 rows selected.
Flashback Table
The FLASHBACK TABLE command allows point in time recovery
of individual tables subject to the following requirements:

You must have either the FLASHBACK ANY TABLE system

privilege or have FLASHBACK object privilege on the table.
You must have SELECT, INSERT, DELETE, and ALTER
privileges on the table.

There must be enough information in the undo tablespace to

complete the operation.

Row movement must be enabled on the table (ALTER

TABLE tablename ENABLE ROW MOVEMENT;).

The following example creates a table, inserts some data and

flashbacks to a point prior to the data insertion. Finally it
flashbacks to the time after the data insertion:
CREATE TABLE flashback_table_test (
id NUMBER(10)
);
ALTER TABLE flashback_table_test ENABLE ROW
MOVEMENT;
SELECT current_scn FROM v$database;
CURRENT_SCN
----------715315
INSERT INTO flashback_table_test (id) VALUES
(1);
COMMIT;
SELECT current_scn FROM v$database;
CURRENT_SCN
----------715340
FLASHBACK TABLE flashback_table_test TO SCN
715315;

SELECT COUNT(*) FROM flashback_table_test;

COUNT(*)
---------0
FLASHBACK TABLE flashback_table_test TO SCN
715340;
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM flashback_table_test;
COUNT(*)
---------1
Flashback of tables can also be performed using timestamps:
FLASHBACK TABLE flashback_table_test TO
TIMESTAMP TO_TIMESTAMP('2004-03-03 10:00:00',
'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MI:SS');
Flashback Drop (Recycle Bin)
In Oracle 10g the default action of a DROP TABLE command is to
move the table to the recycle bin (or rename it), rather than
actually dropping it. The PURGE option can be used to
permanently drop a table.
The recycle bin is a logical collection of previously dropped
objects, with access tied to the DROP privilege. The contents of
the recycle bin can be shown using the SHOW RECYCLEBIN
command and purged using the PURGE TABLE command. As a
result, a previously dropped table can be recovered from the
recycle bin:

CREATE TABLE flashback_drop_test (

id NUMBER(10)
);
INSERT INTO flashback_drop_test (id) VALUES (1);
COMMIT;
DROP TABLE flashback_drop_test;
SHOW RECYCLEBIN
ORIGINAL NAME
RECYCLEBIN NAME
OBJECT TYPE DROP TIME
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ------------------FLASHBACK_DROP_T BIN$TstgCMiwQA66fl5FFDTBgA==$0
TABLE
2004-03-29:11:09:07
EST
FLASHBACK TABLE flashback_drop_test TO BEFORE
DROP;
SELECT * FROM flashback_drop_test;
ID
---------1
Tables in the recycle bin can be queried like any other table:
DROP TABLE flashback_drop_test;
SHOW RECYCLEBIN
ORIGINAL NAME
RECYCLEBIN NAME
OBJECT TYPE DROP TIME

---------------- ----------------------------------------- ------------------FLASHBACK_DROP_T BIN$TDGqmJZKR8u+Hrc6PGD8kw==$0

TABLE
2004-03-29:11:18:39
EST
SELECT * FROM "BIN$TDGqmJZKR8u+Hrc6PGD8kw==$0";
ID
---------1
If an object is dropped and recreated multiple times all dropped
versions will be kept in the recycle bin, subject to space. Where
multiple versions are present it's best to reference the tables via
the RECYCLEBIN_NAME. For any references to the
ORIGINAL_NAME it is assumed the most recent object is drop
version in the referenced question. During the flashback operation
the table can be renamed like:
FLASHBACK TABLE flashback_drop_test TO BEFORE
DROP RENAME TO flashback_drop_test_old;
Several purge options exist:
PURGE TABLE tablename;
-Specific table.
PURGE INDEX indexname;
-Specific index.
PURGE TABLESPACE ts_name;
-- All
tables in a specific tablespace.
PURGE TABLESPACE ts_name USER username; -- All
tables in a specific tablespace for a specific
user.
PURGE RECYCLEBIN;
-- The
current users entire recycle bin.

PURGE DBA_RECYCLEBIN;
whole recycle bin.
Several restrictions apply relating to the recycle bin:

-- The

Only available for non-system, locally managed tablespaces.

There is no fixed size for the recycle bin. The time an object
remains in the recycle bin can vary.

The objects in the recycle bin are restricted to query

operations only (no DDL or DML).

Flashback query operations must reference the recycle bin

name.

Tables and all dependent objects are placed into, recovered

and purged from the recycle bin at the same time.

Tables with Fine Grained Access policies aer not protected

by the recycle bin.

Partitioned index-organized tables are not protected by the

recycle bin.

The recycle bin does not preserve referential integrity.

Flashback Database
The FLASHBACK DATABASE command is a fast alternative to
performing an incomplete recovery. In order to flashback the
database you must have SYSDBA privilege and the flash recovery
area must have been prepared in advance.
If the database is in NOARCHIVELOG it must be switched to
ARCHIVELOG mode:
CONN sys/password AS SYSDBA

ALTER SYSTEM SET

log_archive_dest_1='location=d:\oracle\oradata\D
B10G\archive\' SCOPE=SPFILE;
ALTER SYSTEM SET log_archive_format='ARC%S_%R.
%T' SCOPE=SPFILE;
ALTER SYSTEM SET log_archive_start=TRUE
SCOPE=SPFILE;
SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE
STARTUP MOUNT
ARCHIVE LOG START
ALTER DATABASE ARCHIVELOG;
ALTER DATABASE OPEN;
Flashback must be enabled before any flashback operations are
performed:
CONN sys/password AS SYSDBA
SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE
STARTUP MOUNT EXCLUSIVE
ALTER DATABASE FLASHBACK ON;
ALTER DATABASE OPEN;
With flashback enabled the database can be switched back to a
previous point in time or SCN without the need for a manual
incomplete recovery. In the following example a table is created,
the database is then flashbacked to a time before the table was
created:
-- Create a dummy table.
CONN scott/tiger
CREATE TABLE flashback_database_test (
id NUMBER(10)
);
-- Flashback 5 minutes.
CONN sys/password AS SYSDBA
SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE

STARTUP MOUNT EXCLUSIVE

FLASHBACK DATABASE TO TIMESTAMP SYSDATE(1/24/12);
ALTER DATABASE OPEN RESETLOGS;
-- Check that the table is gone.
CONN scott/tiger
DESC flashback_database_test
Some other variations of the flashback database command
include:
FLASHBACK DATABASE TO TIMESTAMP my_date;
FLASHBACK DATABASE TO BEFORE TIMESTAMP my_date;
FLASHBACK DATABASE TO SCN my_scn;
FLASHBACK DATABASE TO BEFORE SCN my_scn;
The window of time that is available for flashback is determined
by the DB_FLASHBACK_RETENTION_TARGET parameter. The
maximum flashback can be determined by querying the
V$FLASHBACK_DATABASE_LOG view. It is only possible to
flashback to a point in time after flashback was enabled on the
database and since the last RESETLOGS command.
Flashback Query Functions
The TIMESTAMP_TO_SCN and SCN_TO_TIMESTAMP functions
have been added to SQL and PL/SQL to simplify flashback
operations:
SELECT *
FROM
emp AS OF SCN
TIMESTAMP_TO_SCN(SYSTIMESTAMP - 1/24);
SELECT *

FROM
emp AS OF TIMESTAMP
SCN_TO_TIMESTAMP(993240);
DECLARE
l_scn
NUMBER;
l_timestamp TIMESTAMP;
BEGIN
l_scn
:= TIMESTAMP_TO_SCN(SYSTIMESTAMP 1/24);
l_timestamp := SCN_TO_TIMESTAMP(l_scn);
END;
/