How to Identify and Fix Invalid Objects in A Oracle Database

Below we explain how to identify and fix invalid objects in your Oracle database using SQL. This improves the database health and performance.

Sample SQL Command

1set lines 200 pages 999
2col "obj" format a40
3select owner || '.' || object_name "obj",  
4object_type
5from dba_objects
6where status = 'INVALID'
7/

Sample Oracle Output:

 1OBJ                                      OBJECT_TYPE
 2---------------------------------------- --------------------
 3WEBUSER.CHECK                            PACKAGE BODY
 4WEBUSER.MAILER                           PACKAGE
 5WEBUSER.APP_FUNCS                        PACKAGE BODY
 6PUBLIC.DBA_HIST_FILESTATXS               SYNONYM
 7PUBLIC.DBA_HIST_SQLSTAT                  SYNONYM
 8PUBLIC.DBA_HIST_SQLBIND                  SYNONYM
 9PUBLIC.DBA_HIST_TABLESPACE_STAT          SYNONYM
10PUBLIC.DBA_HIST_SERVICE_STAT             SYNONYM
11PUBLIC.DBA_HIST_SERVICE_WAIT_CLASS       SYNONYM

Purpose:

This SQL code aims to identify and list all invalid objects within the Oracle database. It retrieves the object owner, name, and type, presenting them in a user-friendly format.

Breakdown:

1. SET LINES 200 PAGES 999:
   • SET LINES 200: Sets the number of rows displayed on each page of output to 200.
   • SET PAGES 999: Increases the maximum number of pages displayed to 999, ensuring all results are shown even for large datasets.
2. Column Formatting:
   • col "obj" format a40: Defines a new column alias named "obj" with a width of 40 characters. This alias combines the owner and object name for better readability.
3. SELECT Clause:
   • SELECT owner || '.' || object_name "obj", object_type:
     • Constructs the "obj" alias by concatenating the owner name, a dot (.), and the object_name.
     • Selects the object_type column.
4. FROM Clause:
   • FROM dba_objects: Specifies the source table, dba_objects, containing information about database objects.
5. WHERE Clause:
   • WHERE status = 'INVALID': Filters the results to include only objects with the status 'INVALID'.

Key Points:

• This code helps identify potential issues in the database, as invalid objects cannot be used and might hinder functionality.
• The combined owner and object name in the "obj" alias provides a clearer picture of the specific objects in question.
• Adjusting the SET LINES and SET PAGES values can be useful depending on the expected number of results.

Insights and Explanations:

• The dba_objects view offers comprehensive information about various database objects.
• The || operator concatenates strings, forming the "obj" alias for easier identification.
• The WHERE clause focuses on objects marked as 'INVALID', which require attention and potentially need to be recompiled or fixed.

By understanding this code and its components, you can effectively identify invalid objects in your Oracle database and take necessary actions to address them, ensuring optimal database health and performance.