Why upgrade oracle database to higher version
Oracle release 10g version about a year ago and recently release 11g. Many companies are still using the 8i (8.1.x), 8 (8.0.x) and 7.x database versions. For the most part, everything that is available in a lower version will be available in a higher version as well. To give you an idea of what is “new” consider this…Oracle 8i introduced many new features for the developer. With 8i, you could run Java in the database, you had expanded tools to help with object-oriented development and 8i introduced some enhancements to support larger databases (Materialized Views, additions to partitioning). Oracle 9i introduced many new features to help the DBA such as the ability to change database configuration “on the fly”, enhanced availability and enhanced manageability. The advantage of a higher version is that you have more features and better capabilities. You also stay current with the latest “supported” versions. The disadvantage of these new systems is that you have to convert your older databases to the newer versions. This can sometimes cause application changes as well. The advantage of staying at a lower version is that you know it works and you don’t have to change a thing. The disadvantage is that you can’t use any of the latest and greatest features and that you may lose support
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modified your post as follows.
Oracle release 10g version about few years ago and recently release 11gR2 which is the only supported database by oracle.
Many companies are still using the 8i (8.1.x), 8 (8.0.x) and 7.x database versions. For the most part, everything that is available in a lower version will be available in a higher version as well. To give you an idea of what is "new" consider this…
Oracle 8i introduced many new features for the developer. With 8i, you could run Java in the database, you had expanded tools to help with object-oriented development and 8i introduced some enhancements to support larger databases (Materialized Views, additions to partitioning).
8i here 'i' stands for Internet Computing.
Oracle 9i introduced many new features to help the DBA such as the ability to change database configuration "on the fly", enhanced availability and enhanced manageability. The advantage of a higher version is that you have more features and better capabilities. And also Parallel server has named as RAC (Real Application Cluster)
Oracle 10g introduced many new features with Oracle Cluster-ware and ASM (Automatic Storage Management). And Enterprice manager has converted as browser based Enterprise manager console.
You also stay current with the latest "supported" versions. which is oracle 11gR2. here oracle clubbed the cluster-ware & asm software as Cluster Infrastructure. and also introduced automatic sql tuning.
10g here 'g' stands for grid computing.
May be future releases may be 12c expecting that 'c' stands for 'Cloud computing'.
The disadvantage of these changes is unavoidable and you have to convert your older databases to the newer versions. This can sometimes cause application (AppsTier) changes as well. The advantage of staying at a lower version is that you know it works and you don't have to change a thing. The disadvantage is that you can't use any of the latest and greatest features and that you may lose support by oracle Corp.