Oracle Alert log

The Oracle database generates an alert log file which is a log of all messages and errors discovered in the database. If the alert log is missing, a new log file will automatically be created by the Oracle database.

The default location of the Oracle Alert log file is in sub-folders of the u01 > app > oracle > diag folder.

The Alert Log file typically contains messages regarding database start-up, database shutdown, log switches, space errors, and other database-related information.

The alert log is also referred to as the ALERT.LOG file.

Reading the Alert log

You can use Oracle's Enterprise Manager to read the log file. You can also use a text editor to read the log file.

See also:

About Alert logs (External link to Oracle's online documentation)