Which three are true about backing up the control file?

Question

Options

• AIt cannot be backed up manually as a binary copy.
• BIt gets backed up automatically by RMAN as a trace file containing SQL statements for control
• CIt can be backed up manually as a binary copy.
• DIt can get backed up automatically as a binary copy.
• EIt gets backed up automatically by RMAN when the BACKUP SPFILE command is used.
• FIt can be backed up manually as a trace file containing SQL statements for control file

• A
  3% (2)
• B
  5% (3)
• C
  91% (60)
• E
  2% (1)

Explanation

Backing up the Oracle control file offers two formats and two methods: C is correct because you can manually issue ALTER DATABASE BACKUP CONTROLFILE TO '/path/file' to produce a binary copy. D is correct because RMAN can automatically back up the control file as a binary copy whenever CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP ON is set (triggered after backups or structural changes). F is correct because ALTER DATABASE BACKUP CONTROLFILE TO TRACE manually produces a text trace file containing the CREATE CONTROLFILE SQL needed to recreate it from scratch.

Why the distractors fail:

• A directly contradicts C - manual binary backups are absolutely supported.
• B is wrong because RMAN's automatic backup produces a binary copy, not a trace file; trace files are manual-only.
• E is wrong because BACKUP SPFILE backs up the server parameter file - the automatic control file backup is governed by CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP, not SPFILE commands.

Memory tip: Think "2 formats × 2 methods = 4 combinations" - binary or trace, manual or auto. The exam tests whether you know that auto = binary only (RMAN) and manual = both formats. Any answer claiming auto produces a trace file, or that binary can't be done manually, is wrong.

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