Patch terminology in Oracle databases

This article in short explain patch terminology used by Oracle.

New Name Old Name Description
Interim Patch PSE, MLR, Exception release, One-Off, x-fix, Hotfix, Security One-Off A patch containing one or more fixes made available to customers who cannot wait until the next patch set or new product release to get a fix.
Diagnostic Patch Diagnostic Patch, test Patch, Fix Verification Binary (FVB), e-fix An interim patch created specifically to diagnose a problem and not to fix a bug.
Bundle Patch Maintenance Pack, Service Pack, MLRs, Cumulative Patch, Update Release, Bundle Patch An iterative, cumulative patch that is issued between patch sets. Bundle patches usually include only fixes, but some may include minor enhancements. Examples are the Database Windows Bundles and SOA Bundle Patches.
Patch Set Update (PSU)
Patch Set Update (PSU) A quarterly patch that contains the most critical fixes for the applicable product, allowing customers to apply one patch to avoid many problems.
Security Patch Update (SPU)
Critical Patch Update (CPU) An iterative, cumulative patch consisting of security fixes. Formerly known as Critical Patch Update.Note that the program name which delivers SPUs will still be called Critical Patch Update, as defined below:

Oracle’s program for quarterly release of security fixes. Patches released as part of this program may be Patch Set Updates, Security Patch Updates, and Bundle Patches. Regardless of the patch type, the patches are cumulative.

 

Have a fun 🙂
Tomasz

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