unless its a small database Say <80g then shut it down copy it ! Simple if you can get away with it > On 12/17/08, Dennis Williams <oracledba.williams@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > Nilesh > > > > 1. Some databases are so large that cloning is the only method of creating a > > test database. > > 2. Before a production change is made, it is recommended that change be made > > in a test database and then tested. This can avoid the awkward situation of > > production changes that need to be backed out. Cloning produces an exact > > copy of the production database. > > > > Dennis Williams > > > -- > //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l > > > -- Howard A. Latham -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l