db link full spec

DROP DATABASE LINK "apollo";
CREATE DATABASE LINK "apollo"
connect TO xxxxxx
IDENTIFIED BY "xxxxxxx"
using '(DESCRIPTION =(ADDRESS_LIST =(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=10.24.0.11)(PORT=1521)))(connect_data=(SID=MIS10G1)))';
SELECT * FROM dual@apollo

unix list directories only

ls -d */

direct connection

sqlplus user/pass@10.0.0.1:1521/service_name

tnsping direct

the sytax

tnsping '(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=10.24.0.11)(PORT=1521))'

authid current_user

http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/appdev.102/b14261/subprograms.htm#i18574

To give the package the same rights as the caller of the package.

result cache

The two methods in 11g are

1) using a hint /*+ result_cache */
2) using the key words
result_cache
relies_on(table_name)

http://www.oracle.com/technology/oramag/oracle/07-sep/o57asktom.html

INSERT /*+ APPEND */ a good idea ?

Sometimes , sometimes not
1) not good for many small inserts as it appends each insert above the high water mark, leaving lots of unused space
2) only one session at a time can do it at a time

see
http://asktom.oracle.com/pls/asktom/f?p=100:11:0::::P11_QUESTION_ID:1211797200346279484