Oracle Database Release Numbers

Oracle Database releases are categorized by five numeric segments that indicate release information.

Major Database Release Number
The first numeral is the most general identifier. It represents a major new version of the software that contains significant new functionality.

Database Maintenance Release Number
The second numeral represents a maintenance release level. Some new features may also be included.

Fusion Middleware Release Number
The third numeral reflects the release level of Oracle Fusion Middleware.

Component-Specific Release Number
The fourth numeral identifies a release level specific to a component. Different components can have different numbers in this position depending upon, for example, component patch sets or interim releases.

Platform-Specific Release Number
The fifth numeral identifies a platform-specific release. Usually this is a patch set. When different platforms require the equivalent patch set, this numeral will be the same across the affected platforms.

Checking Your Current Release Number

To identify the release of Oracle Database that is currently installed and to see the release levels of other database components you are using, query the data dictionary view PRODUCT_COMPONENT_VERSION. A sample query follows. (You can also query the V$VERSION view to see component-level information.) Other product release levels may increment independent of the database server.

COL PRODUCT FORMAT A40
COL VERSION FORMAT A15
COL STATUS FORMAT A15 
SELECT * FROM PRODUCT_COMPONENT_VERSION;