DB down on executing delete query

Question

Is there a possibility that a simple delete query can bring down a DB?

We executed a delete query (single row deletion) and that query hung. When multiple people tried executing the same delete again, the Oracle DB is down. Multiple tables reference this table and a cascade delete was not used. Should a cascade delete have been used?

What are the possible reasons for the DB to go down on executing this sql?

As Jerry McGuire said, "Show us the query!" – pavium Oct 07 '09 at 10:13 — pavium, Oct 07 '09 at 10:13

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Aug 12 '14 at 08:13

1

The delete stmts hung, the db reached max number of allowed processes (which were waiting); and the db stopped establishing new connections. We killed the hanging processes and the db is up and running now.

edited Aug 12 '14 at 08:13

Sam

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answered Oct 07 '09 at 11:15

RJ.

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 07 '09 at 10:12

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Are you sure it's down and it's not just a transaction that has locked your tables?

answered Oct 07 '09 at 10:12

Paddy

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 07 '09 at 10:12

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Check the log files of the server. My guess is that the delete modified a lot of rows and you ran out of UNDO log.

answered Oct 07 '09 at 10:12

Aaron Digulla

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DB down on executing delete query

3 Answers3