The DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST_SIZE initialization parameter specifies the size (bytes) of the Flash Recovery Area. It is always defined prior to the DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST initialization parameter.

The properties of this parameter are as follows:

  • Parameter type: Big integer
  • Syntax: DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST_SIZE = integer [K| M| G]
  • Default value: No default value is specified for this initialization parameter.

Examples of how to use this parameter with the ALTER SYSTEM command and the scope are as follows:

  1. SQL > ALTER SYSTEM
    set DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST_SIZE = 10g scope = memory;

Here, MEMORY as a scope signifies that the changes occur in memory and take effect immediately and stay until the database is shut down.

Note: If the database is started up using PFILE, then MEMORY is the only scope one can specify.

SQL > ALTER SYSTEM
set DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST_SIZE = 10g scope = spfile;

Here, SPFILE as a scope signifies that the changes occur in SPFILE and take effect when the database is shut down and started up again.

Note: This scope must be specified to change the value of a static parameter such as AUDIT_FILE_DEST, AUDIT_TRAIL, etc.

SQL > ALTER SYSTEM
set DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST_SIZE = 10g scope = both;

Here, BOTH as a scope signifies that the changes occur both in memory and in the server parameter file (SPFILE) and take effect immediately and stay even after the database is shut down and started up again.

Note: If the database is started up using SPFILE, the default scope will be BOTH.

If the database is started up using PFILE, then the default scope will be MEMORY.