Hi Chirag, Without your redo log files, you need to open your Database in resetlog mode after a recovery. Assume the recovery scenario wherein you have lost all your online redo log files. Best Regards P.V.Narayanan Chirag DBA <ChiragDBA@xxxxxxxxx> Sent by: askdba-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 02/10/2004 12:40 PM Please respond to askdba@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, askdba@xxxxxxxxxxxxx cc Subject [askdba] Question in HOT BACKUP Hi, I just appeared in an interview. When I was asked which filese I will copy for hot backup, I said redo too. Cause I think they can help us always to recover database upto point of time. I was pulled a lot, but my only question that if not redo then how will you recover yr DB upto point of failure, stopped the arguements. M I true in this case? I have done expoerts in hot backups in production database. Can anyone clear my doubts? If u copy couple datafiles in hotback with begin backup, n yr DB crashes... what will happen? Assume that an archive log file is generated every 30 minutes and my DB crashed after 15 minutes of Last Archive file generated. Can I go without REDO Log File ??? - Chirag