spfile in data dictionary

[Peer Jones]

Hi everyone,

Could someone please tell me which data dictionary view contains the information which sort of initialisation file my instance is using?

I tried the obvious ones: v$parameter and v$system_parameter, but the information is only shown for some databases (their location, anyway), but not always. Quite often the values for 'ifile' and /or 'spfile' are just empty.

Thanks
Peer

[davey23uk]

show parameter spfile will tell you if you are using it - if there is a value you are using it.

Same goes for v$parameter, if spfile has a parameter you are using one, it not, using a pfile

[Peer Jones]

Thanks for the reply, but are you sure the v$parameter always works that way?
As far as I can see I've got one or two instances where neither spfile or pfile seem to be specified there at all.

[davey23uk]

well pfile isnt a valid parameter anyway

SQL> show parameter pfile

NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
------------------------------------ ----------- ---------------------------
spfile                               string

if spfile is blank you are definitely using a pfile