before applying a database patch

Hello
i am running 8.1.6.1.0 and wanna upgrade to a newer version. Do i just need to take a backup of the database or the whole instant?

thanks
Jigar

Before applying a patch, I make sure to backup the DB as well as the $ORACLE_HOME. That way, you will be able to back out of the "upgrade" if you need to.

you should always do a full backup (ideally a cold physical backup) before such an event. I do not know what you mean by your question of backing up a database vs. backing up an instance. A database instance is composed of the the processes running on the server (i am unix-centric); they cannot be backed up.