Backup mode allows you to put the database in “frozen” state, so you can simply copy the datafiles using OS commands: cp or copy. These copies can be used for a restore later. Now, putting the database IN backup mode isn't very good because:
The backup mode can be enabled on:
We can check if a datafile is in backup mode as follows:
SQL> select * from v$backup; FILE# STATUS CHANGE# TIME CON_ID ---------- ------------------ ---------- --------- ---------- 1 ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0 3 ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0 4 ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0 5 ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0 7 ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0
The commands are pretty straight forward to be honest:
SQL> alter database end backup; Database altered. FILE# STATUS CHANGE# TIME CON_ID ----- ------------------------------ ---------- --------- ---------- 1 NOT ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0 3 NOT ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0 4 NOT ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0 5 NOT ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0 7 NOT ACTIVE 77772650 14-DEC-19 0