Difference between RMAN and traditional backup methods in Oracle database

Recovery Manager (RMAN) is an Oracle utility that is specifically designed for backup and recovery operations, while traditional backup methods involve using operating system utilities or third-party tools to back up Oracle databases.

Some key differences between RMAN and traditional backup methods include:

• Control and automation: RMAN provides centralized control and automation for backup and recovery tasks, making it easier to manage and schedule backups.
• Incremental backups: RMAN supports incremental backups, which only back up changes made since the last backup, reducing backup time and storage space requirements.
• Block-level backups: RMAN can perform block-level backups, backing up only the modified blocks of data, whereas traditional methods often involve backing up entire datafiles.
• Validation and verification: RMAN can validate backups and verify their integrity, ensuring that the backup data is consistent and recoverable.

Overall, RMAN offers a more efficient and reliable approach to backup and recovery in Oracle databases compared to traditional backup methods.