Which SQL*Plus command should you use to determine if the Oracle database is using a supported version for installation?

Which SQL*Plus command should you use to determine if the Oracle database is using a supported version for installation?

• A. select * from v$version;
• B. SHOW VERSION;
• C. SELECT version FROM v$instance;
• D. SELECT * FROM dba_features

Answer: (A)

Verifying the exact database release and components is the key concept here. The reliable way to do this is to query the dynamic performance view that reports all version strings for the database software: select * from v$version. This returns the Oracle Database version along with related component versions (like PL/SQL, NLS, etc.), giving you a clear, authoritative value to compare against the installation guide’s supported versions. Using a SQL*Plus command to show version is less dependable for installation checks, because it often reflects the SQL*Plus client or tool version rather than the database server itself. Relying on a version field from v$instance can be inconsistent across versions and requires ad hoc interpretation, whereas v$version provides a comprehensive and standard set of version strings. A view like dba_features shows feature availability rather than the actual release version, so it doesn’t answer whether the installed database version is within the supported range.

Verifying the exact database release and components is the key concept here. The reliable way to do this is to query the dynamic performance view that reports all version strings for the database software: select * from v$version. This returns the Oracle Database version along with related component versions (like PL/SQL, NLS, etc.), giving you a clear, authoritative value to compare against the installation guide’s supported versions.

Using a SQLPlus command to show version is less dependable for installation checks, because it often reflects the SQLPlus client or tool version rather than the database server itself. Relying on a version field from v$instance can be inconsistent across versions and requires ad hoc interpretation, whereas v$version provides a comprehensive and standard set of version strings. A view like dba_features shows feature availability rather than the actual release version, so it doesn’t answer whether the installed database version is within the supported range.