P

package body

The part of a package that contains the program implementation.

package specification

The part of a package that declares its external interface.

partial database backup

A backup that includes zero or more tablespaces, which in turn include zero or more datafiles; a control file is optional in a partial database backup.

password file

The encrypted file that contains the user names and passwords of users who have been granted SYSDBA and SYSOPER privileges.

PFILE

A plain text file that contains database initialization parameters. Oracle reads this file at startup and uses the information to configure various aspects of the Oracle instance and database.

PGA

See Program Global Area.

ping

A TCP/IP utility that checks basic network connectivity between two computers.

PMON

See process monitor.

port

Used with TCP/IP to name the ends of logical connections, which carry conversations between two computers.

primary key

A constraint that, when defined on one or more columns in a table, requires that all values in that column be unique and not null.

principle of least privilege

Permits only the minimal set of privileges that are required for the situation.

privileges

The assigned permissions to create, modify, remove, or use a database object or a feature.

proactive monitoring

Monitoring the Oracle server for potential issues before they occur, thus avoiding the impact on the database's performance, availability, or manageability.

procedure

A PL/SQL program that is invoked as a stand-alone statement.

Process Monitor (PMON)

The background process that cleans up failed user connections.

Program Global Area (PGA)

An area of memory in which information for each client session is maintained. This information includes bind variable, cursor information, and the client's sort area.

proxy-based firewall

A firewall that prevents information from outside the firewall from flowing directly into the corporate network. The firewall acts as a gatekeeper, inspecting packets and sending only the appropriate information to the corporate network.