Oracle Corporation
AUTOMATIC, REPETITIVE, AND GRADUAL SHRINK OF VERY LARGE DATABASE OBJECT STRUCTURES

Abstract:

A computer program product, system, and computer implemented method for automatic, repetitive, and gradual shrink of very large database object structures. The approach disclosed herein generally comprises an iterative best efforts approach to automatically shrink a large database object structure(s). The process may comprise identifying a large object (LOB) structure shrink event and LOB structure or LOB structure segment to be shrunk. And executing a shrink operation on the LOB structure or LOB structure segment without blocking access to other extents in the LOB structure or LOB segment structure. This process allows an extent to be shrunk and deallocated. As a result, the process can operate to continually clean a LOB structure or LOB structure segment to decrease fragmentation within the extents of the LOB structure or LOB segment structure.