Datafile copy

Question

Hi,
In my work environment, the various kinds of demo schemas (banking domain, healthcare domain) are running in demo database server. My business analysts are shows demo for client. During the demos, they are doing some DDL, DML operations in demo schemas. After completed demos, the demo schemas are comes to older stage (not databases). For example, the banking demo will start by 14-apr-2009 at 10.00AM. The banking demos will be completed by 14-Apr-2009 at 12:00 AM.
I want to banking demo schema comes older stage (i.e. 14-apr-2009 at 10.00AM.).
They are three options available for this scenario
          1) Exp and imp options.
2) Data file copy.
          3) Using flashback technology.          
I think, exp and imp options are best option for this scenario. Can u tell me the how to copy data file and paste the data file .please suggest me? please give me the proof which options is best one because I need to submit documents to my supervisor.
Can you tell me the any options for it?

Answer 1

If after running a series of demostration tasks that will perform DML on your existing data and you would like to be able to repeat the tasks then you have to put your data back the way it was at the start of the testing. Since you are likely to want to be able to do this multiple times at distant dates in the future your two real choices are:
1 - a schema level export
2 - if schema separation by tablespace is done, restore the data files via transportable tablespaces
I would go with a schema level export. Just drop the schema and then run the import to put it back.
Flashback database is across the entire database and unless the database can be dedicated to the schema specific demonstration is not a viable option.
The transportable tablespace option might be faster than using a traditional import of the schema but if you want to demo on a different platform you can run into issue depending on Oracle version and machine endianess.
With an export if you use a 9.2 export you could import into 9.2, 10g, or 11g for demo. I am not sure of the version limitations for transportable tablespaces but I like flexibility. Though as you upgrade you could always image or export on each release. How you handle updates to the schema is really another issue.
I like exports, simple and fast enough for small data quantities.
IMHO -- Mark D Powell --