Bigfile and Smallfile Performance

Oracle Database Tips by Donald BurlesonOctober 3, 2013

Question: What is the difference between BIGFILE and SMALLFILE tablespace in DML operations performance? Which is faster in bulk read and write data. BIGFILE or SMALLFILE?

Answer: The only real difference is that a Bigfile contains a single, very large file that spans disk drives. When use with Automatic Storage Management (SAME or RAID 0+1), bigfile is best for performance, when the DML is physically co-located on the disk:

See MOSC Note 262472.1 for m ore details on BIGFILE vs. SMALLFILE and database performance.

Also see my notes on BIGFILE TABLESPACES

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