What is a hot backup and how is it different from a cold backup in Oracle database?

A hot backup in Oracle database is a backup taken while the database is still online and actively serving requests. This type of backup captures all changes that are occurring in the database at the time of the backup, ensuring data consistency and integrity. Hot backups are usually performed using Oracle's RMAN tool to ensure crash recovery and transaction integrity.

On the other hand, a cold backup is a backup taken when the database is offline and not available for use. This type of backup is a static copy of the database at a specific point in time and does not capture any changes that occur after the backup is taken. Cold backups are simpler to perform but may result in data inconsistency if the database is actively being used during the backup process.

In summary, hot backups are taken while the database is online and capture all changes, ensuring data integrity, while cold backups are taken offline and provide a consistent point-in-time snapshot of the database.