Oracle software

What is Oracle Database 21c?

What is Oracle Database 21c?

  • Oracle Database 21c is the latest RDBMS by Oracle.
  • Offers blockchain tables for immutable data storage.
  • It includes native JSON data types for modern apps.
  • Features AutoML for integrated machine learning.
  • Supports multi-model databases for diverse data needs.
  • Designed for cloud, hybrid, and on-premises deployment.

What is Oracle Database 21c?

oracle database 21c

Oracle Database 21c is the latest innovation in Oracle’s long-standing tradition of providing powerful, scalable, and secure relational database management systems (RDBMS). Released as part of Oracle’s commitment to continuous innovation, this version introduces cutting-edge features tailored to meet the demands of modern businesses and developers.

Oracle Database 21c supports various use cases, including transactional processing, data warehousing, and mixed workloads, while supporting advanced technologies like blockchain, machine learning, and multi-model data management.

By integrating these technologies, Oracle 21c empowers organizations to streamline operations, optimize data usage, and gain deeper insights from their information assets.


Key Features of Oracle Database 21c

1. Blockchain Tables

Oracle Database 21c introduces blockchain tables, which enable tamper-proof data storage within the database. This feature is ideal for industries requiring immutable ledgers, such as finance, supply chain management, and healthcare.

  • Immutability: Once data is inserted into blockchain tables, it cannot be updated or deleted. This ensures a reliable and secure record of transactions.
  • Use Cases: These tables securely track transactions, audit trails, and regulatory compliance data. They are particularly valuable in sectors that require verifiable, transparent data records.

2. Native JSON Data Type

With JSON’s growing adoption in modern applications, Oracle 21c provides a native JSON data type for efficient storage and querying.

  • Improved Performance: Significantly faster processing of JSON data than traditional methods, allowing developers to work with large JSON datasets seamlessly.
  • Developer-Friendly: It simplifies application development by seamlessly integrating JSON into relational workflows, making it easier for developers to bridge structured and unstructured data.

3. AutoML for Machine Learning

Oracle Database 21c includes AutoML (Automated Machine Learning), making machine learning more accessible for businesses without requiring extensive expertise.

  • Automation: Simplifies creating, testing, and deploying machine learning models directly within the database, reducing reliance on external tools.
  • Integration: Combine machine learning insights with transactional and analytical data in one system, enabling predictive analytics and enhanced decision-making.

4. Persistent Memory Store

This feature leverages persistent memory technologies for ultra-fast database operations.

  • High-Speed Performance: Ideal for latency-sensitive applications, providing near-instantaneous data access for mission-critical workloads.
  • Reduced I/O Overhead: This feature enhances performance for workloads with frequent reads and writes, offering a competitive edge in high-demand environments.

5. In-Memory Enhancements

Oracle 21c builds on its in-memory database capabilities with improved analytics and support for hybrid columnar compression.

  • Advanced Analytics: Perform real-time analytics on transactional data without impacting performance, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions faster.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Optimize storage and processing costs for large datasets by combining in-memory processing with compression technologies.

6. Multi-Model Database Support

Oracle Database 21c continues its support for various data models, including relational, document, spatial, graph, and key-value.

  • Flexibility: Store and process diverse data types in a single database, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems.
  • Use Cases: The database easily manages IoT data, geospatial information, or complex networks, making it suitable for dynamic, data-rich environments.

Read about Oracle Database 23.


Benefits of Oracle Database 21c

Benefits of Oracle Database 21c

1. Enhanced Performance

Oracle 21c offers improved query performance, lower latency, and optimized storage options, making it suitable for high-demand environments such as financial transactions, real-time analytics, and IoT applications. Organizations can achieve faster response times and better user experiences by reducing bottlenecks.

2. Simplified Development

Features like native JSON data types and AutoML streamline application development. They reduce the complexity of integrating databases with modern applications, allowing developers to create more sophisticated applications without steep learning curves.

3. Robust Security

With blockchain tables, end-to-end encryption, and advanced auditing features, Oracle 21c ensures the highest levels of data security for sensitive workloads. Organizations can meet stringent compliance requirements and protect against data breaches.

4. Scalability and Flexibility

Its multi-model capabilities and persistent memory support allow organizations to scale their workloads seamlessly, involving structured data, unstructured content, or advanced analytics. This scalability makes it suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises.

5. Cloud-Ready

Oracle Database 21c is optimized for cloud environments, allowing businesses to deploy it on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), hybrid cloud setups, or on-premises. This flexibility ensures that organizations can choose deployment strategies that align with their goals.

Read about Oracle Database 19c.


Use Cases for Oracle Database 21c

1. Financial Services

Leverage blockchain tables for secure transaction records, fraud detection, and compliance with financial regulations. The ability to create tamper-proof ledgers ensures trust and transparency in financial operations.

2. Healthcare

Store immutable patient records, manage large-scale genomic data, and integrate machine learning for predictive analytics. This enables better patient outcomes and supports cutting-edge medical research.

3. Supply Chain Management

Utilize real-time analytics and blockchain tables to track inventory, ensure transparency, and optimize operations across global supply chains. Companies can reduce delays and improve efficiency.

4. Internet of Things (IoT)

Support massive data ingestion and analysis from IoT devices using the database’s multi-model capabilities and persistent memory for fast processing. This makes it ideal for smart city projects and industrial IoT applications.

5. E-Commerce

Handle high transactional loads, personalize customer experiences with machine learning, and secure payment data with advanced encryption and auditing features. Oracle 21c ensures seamless shopping experiences even during peak traffic periods.

FAQs

What makes Oracle Database 21c unique? It introduces blockchain tables, AutoML for machine learning, and native JSON data types. It also supports diverse data models and advanced analytics for modern business needs.

How does Oracle 21c handle blockchain data? Oracle 21c offers blockchain tables, which ensure tamper-proof data storage. Once data is inserted, it cannot be updated or deleted, making it ideal for audit trails and secure records.

What is the native JSON data type in Oracle 21c? This feature allows efficient storage and querying of JSON data, improving performance and simplifying development for applications relying on JSON documents.

What is AutoML in Oracle Database 21c? AutoML simplifies creating, testing, and deploying machine learning models directly within the database, making predictive analytics more accessible to businesses.

What are persistent memory features in Oracle 21c? The persistent memory store in Oracle 21c enhances database performance by providing ultra-fast access to frequently used data, which is ideal for latency-sensitive applications.

How does Oracle 21c improve in-memory processing? The in-memory enhancements offer advanced analytics and support for hybrid columnar compression, allowing real-time data insights without impacting system performance.

What is multi-model database support in Oracle 21c? Oracle 21c supports relational, document, spatial, graph, and key-value data models, enabling businesses to manage diverse data types in a single system.

Is Oracle Database 21c cloud-ready? Oracle 21c is optimized for deployment in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, hybrid cloud setups, and on-premises, offering flexibility to meet various operational needs.

How does Oracle 21c benefit financial services? Financial institutions use Oracle 21c to create secure transaction records, detect fraud, and comply, leveraging blockchain tables for tamper-proof data.

What role does Oracle 21c play in healthcare? Healthcare providers use Oracle 21c to manage electronic health records (EHR), genomic data, and predictive analytics, improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Can Oracle 21c handle IoT data? Yes, it supports IoT use cases by managing massive data ingestion and analysis, with multi-model capabilities and persistent memory for real-time processing.

How does Oracle 21c support e-commerce? Oracle 21c handles high transactional loads, personalizes customer experiences with machine learning, and secures payment data using advanced encryption and auditing.

What makes Oracle 21c suitable for supply chain management? Real-time analytics and blockchain tables enable transparent inventory tracking and optimized logistics across global supply chains.

How does Oracle 21c simplify development? By integrating native JSON data types and machine learning tools, Oracle 21c allows developers to create and deploy sophisticated applications faster and with fewer resources.

Why is Oracle Database 21c ideal for modern businesses? Oracle 21c combines cutting-edge features, robust security, and scalable deployment options, making it a versatile solution for finance, healthcare, IoT, and e-commerce industries.

Author
  • Fredrik Filipsson brings two decades of Oracle license management experience, including a nine-year tenure at Oracle and 11 years in Oracle license consulting. His expertise extends across leading IT corporations like IBM, enriching his profile with a broad spectrum of software and cloud projects. Filipsson's proficiency encompasses IBM, SAP, Microsoft, and Salesforce platforms, alongside significant involvement in Microsoft Copilot and AI initiatives, improving organizational efficiency.

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