Initialization parameters are used to perform various functions.
For example, initialization parameters are used to:
• Set limits for the entire database
• Set user or process limits
• Set limits on database resources
• Affect performance (these are called variable parameters)
Variable parameters are of particular interest to database administrators, because these
parameters are used primarily to improve database performance.
Database administrators can use initialization parameters to:
• Optimize performance by adjusting memory structures, such as the number of database
buffers in memory
• Set database-wide defaults, such as the amount of space initially allocated for a context
area when it is created
• Set database limits, such as the maximum number of database users
• Specify names of files or directories required by the database
Many initialization parameters can be fine-tuned to improve database performance. Other
parameters should never be altered or should be altered only under the supervision of Oracle
Support Services.
All initialization parameters are optional. Oracle has a default value for each parameter. This
value may be operating system-dependent, depending on the parameter.
