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## 3. Creating a Database

Now the Oracle server is installed we need to create a database to test the installation.

`If you are using Oracle 7.2.x or earlier, please read the troubleshooting section below.`

## 3.1 Create the Initialisation File

Copy the `$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/init.ora` to `$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/initorcl.ora`:

> `

>     $ cd $ORACLE_HOME/dbs
>     $ cp init.ora initorcl.ora

> `

Modify it by adding the following lines:

> `

>     db_name = orcl
>     COMPATIBLE=7.3.3.0.0

> `

## 3.2 Creating the Database Install Script

Create a script file called makedb.sql in the `$ORACLE_HOME/dbs` directory:

> `

>     connect internal
>     startup nomount
>     set echo on
>     spool makedb.log
>     create database orcl
>             maxinstances 1
>             maxlogfiles  8
>             datafile '$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orcl_syst_01.dbf' size 40M reuse
>             logfile
>                     '$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orcl_redo_01.dbf' size 1M reuse,
>                     '$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orcl_redo_02.dbf' size 1M reuse,
>                     '$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orcl_redo_03.dbf' size 1M reuse;
>     @$ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/admin/catalog.sql
>     create tablespace rollback
>             datafile '$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orcl_roll_01.dbf' size 8.5M reuse;
>     create tablespace temp
>             datafile '$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orcl_temp_01.dbf' size 5M reuse
>             temporary;
>     create tablespace users
>             datafile '$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orcl_user_01.dbf' size 10M reuse;
>     create rollback segment r1 tablespace rollback
>             storage ( optimal 5M );
>     alter rollback segment r1 online;
>     connect system/manager
>     @$ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/admin/catdbsyn.sql
>     connect internal
>     @$ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/admin/catproc.sql
>     connect system/manager
>     @$ORACLE_HOME/sqlplus/admin/pupbld.sql
>     spool off
>     exit

> `

## 3.3 Running the Database Installation Script

Start `svrmgrl` and run the script:

> `

>     $ cd $ORACLE_HOME/dbs
>     $ svrmgrl

>     Oracle Server Manager Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

>     Copyright (c) Oracle Corporation 1994, 1995. All rights reserved.

>     Oracle7 Server Release 7.3.3.0.0 - Production Release
>     PL/SQL Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

>     SVRMGR> connect internal
>     Connected.
>     SVRMGR> startup nomount
>     ORACLE instance started.
>     Total System Global Area       4313312 bytes
>     Fixed Size                       41876 bytes
>     Variable Size                  4140364 bytes
>     Database Buffers                122880 bytes
>     Redo Buffers                      8192 bytes
>     SVRMGR> @makedb
>     <loads of messages>
>     SVRMGR> exit
>     Server Manager complete.

> `

## 3.4 Starting the Database

Firstly, we need to bring up the database by hand (we will automate this later on). To startup an Oracle database we need to issue the `startup` command when connected internally:

> `

>     $ svrmgrl

>     Oracle Server Manager Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

>     Copyright (c) Oracle Corporation 1994, 1995. All rights reserved.

>     Oracle7 Server Release 7.3.3.0.0 - Production Release
>     PL/SQL Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

>     SVRMGR> connect internal
>     Connected.
>     SVRMGR> startup
>     ORACLE instance started.
>     Total System Global Area       4313316 bytes
>     Fixed Size                       41876 bytes
>     Variable Size                  4140368 bytes
>     Database Buffers                122880 bytes
>     Redo Buffers                      8192 bytes
>     Database mounted.
>     Database opened.
>     SVRMGR> exit
>     Server Manager complete.

> `

## 3.5 Stopping the Database

It is worth mentioning here that restarting a Linux server without shutting down the Oracle database first there is a high risk of corrupting the database.

So, before we issue the Linux `shutdown` command it is wise to bring down the database:

> `

>     $ svrmgrl

>     Oracle Server Manager Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

>     Copyright (c) Oracle Corporation 1994, 1995. All rights reserved.

>     Oracle7 Server Release 7.3.3.0.0 - Production Release
>     PL/SQL Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

>     SVRMGR> connect internal
>     Connected.
>     SVRMGR> shutdown
>     Database closed.
>     Database dismounted.
>     ORACLE instance shut down.
>     SVRMGR> exit
>     Server Manager complete.

> `

## 3.6 Create a Default User

The database, as created, has a two special users which are automatically created. These are:

> `

>     Username                Password

>     SYSTEM                  MANAGER
>     SYS                     change_on_install

> `

These users are typically used to hold the standard data dictionary information for the database. It is a good idea to change the passwords from the defaults as soon as possible.

This can be achieved by:

> `

>     sqlplus system/manager

>     SQL*Plus: Release 3.3.3.0.0 - Production on Sat Feb 21 12:43:33 1998

>     Copyright (c) Oracle Corporation 1979, 1996.  All rights reserved.

>     Connected to:
>     Oracle7 Server Release 7.3.3.0.0 - Production Release

>     SQL> alter user system identified by <newpassword>;

>     User altered.

>     SQL> alter user sys identified by <newpassword>;

>     User altered.

>     SQL> exit;
>     Disconnected from Oracle7 Server Release 7.3.3.0.0 - Production Release
>     PL/SQL Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

> `

Since the user `system/manager` is similar to using `root` on a UNIX machine, we need to create a user with less ability to cause damage. (remember to bring up the database before attempting to create a user)

Connect to SQL*Plus and create a user:

> `

>     $ sqlplus system/manager

>     SQL*Plus: Release 3.3.3.0.0 - Production on Sat Feb 21 12:43:33 1998

>     Copyright (c) Oracle Corporation 1979, 1996.  All rights reserved.

>     Connected to:
>     Oracle7 Server Release 7.3.3.0.0 - Production Release
>     PL/SQL Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

>     SQL> create user <user> identified by <psw>
>       2  default tablespace users
>       3  temporary tablespace temp;

>     User created.

>     SQL> grant connect, resource to <user>

>     Grant succeeded.

>     SQL> exit
>     Disconnected from Oracle7 Server Release 7.3.3.0.0 - Production Release
>     PL/SQL Release 2.3.3.0.0 - Production

> `

Now that you have a new user on the system you can play with the new system. To login to the Oracle database:

> `

>     $ sqlplus <user>/<password>

> `

If this completes with no error messages then you have a working Oracle database. If you never want to connect to this database from anywhere but this server then the job is complete, enjoy!

If, however, like most people you want to configure the networking software so that you can connect from other machines, keep on reading.

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