Oracle’s version numbering requires a small explanation. Oracle’s products are identified in a specific manner as follows:

In recent years, Oracle has released a number of so-called “major releases” namely; 8i, 9i, 10g, 11g and 12c. Every major release from 10g starts with a first so-called maintenance release, the indication is then as follows; 10.1, 11.1 and 12.1, we call this release 1. With every update maintenance release this is increased so 10.2, 11.2 and 12.2.

However, since version 11.2 there are no more first or second releases, even though Oracle still uses this designation. Since 11.2, every release is a Full Release. The last available Full Release is Oracle 12.2.

In addition to the major and maintenance release, Oracle also releases patch sets. These have a specific component number for example 12.2.0.1. To keep things “simple”, this way of noting will change after Oracle 12.2.0.1. In the new notation method, the release of the database is indicated by the last two digits of the year in which it becomes available. The first database version with this notation is Oracle18, which is the already planned patch set 12.2.0.2 on major release 12.2.0.1. Patchset 12.2.0.3 will thus be referred to as Oracle19.

What is still not clear is whether this designation will also be entered internally in the database. We’ll have to wait and see, but we may have to deal with Oracle18 and 12.2.0.2.

Oracle’s version numbering requires a small explanation. Oracle’s products are specifically identified as follows; in recent years Oracle has released a number of so-called “major releases” namely; 8i, 9i, 10g, 11g and 12c. Every major release from 10g starts with a first so-called maintenance release, the indication is then as follows; 10.1, 11.1 and 12.1, we call this release 1. With every update maintenance release this is increased so 10.2, 11.2 and 12.2.

However, since version 11.2 there are no more first or second releases, even though Oracle still uses this designation. Since 11.2, every release is a Full Release. The last available Full Release is Oracle 12.2.

In addition to the major and maintenance release, Oracle also releases patch sets. These have a specific component number for example 12.2.0.1. To keep things “simple”, this way of noting will change after Oracle 12.2.0.1. In the new notation method, the release of the database is indicated by the last two digits of the year in which it becomes available. The first database version with this notation is Oracle18, which is the already planned patch set 12.2.0.2 on major release 12.2.0.1. Patchset 12.2.0.3 will thus be referred to as Oracle19.

What is still not clear is whether this designation will also be entered internally in the database. We’ll have to wait and see, but we may have to deal with Oracle18 and 12.2.0.2.