* [[https://support.oracle.com/epmos/faces/DocumentDisplay?id=888.1|Primary Note for Database Proactive Patch Program (Doc ID 888.1)]] - Patching master document,  or
  * [[https://support.oracle.com/epmos/faces/DocumentDisplay?id=2118136.2|Download Reference for Oracle Database/GI Update, Revision, PSU, SPU(CPU), Bundle Patches, Patchsets and Base Releases (Doc ID 2118136.2)]]
==== For versions below 12.2.0.1 ====
On bog standard iron, this is a fairly simple procedure. Download the patch, stop the databases and listeners and opatch the ORACLE_HOME. See general procedure [[Applying patches]]\\
[[https://saruamit4.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/confusion-about-oracle-patches/|a word about the different patching terminology;overlay, merge, bundle etc..]]\\
  *  [[http://logic.edchen.org/how-to-apply-patch-in-oracle/|how to apply patch in oracle]]
==== What patches are installed? ====
=== Display the Patch inventory ===
<code>
$ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/opatch lsinventory
</code>
=== Display just the patches ===
<code>
$ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/opatch lspatches
</code>
=== From SQL*Plus in version 11 ===
dba_registry_history is a view on registry$history
<code>
col action_time for a21
col action      for a15
col namespace   for a15
col version     for a15
col comments    for a80 wrap
select action_time, action, namespace, version, id, comments from dba_registry_history order by 1;
</code>

==== From 12.1.0.1 onwards ====
Reference: [[https://support.oracle.com/epmos/faces/DocumentDisplay?id=2680521.1|Datapatch User Guide (Doc ID 2680521.1)]]
  * Patching is now no longer performed inline. It is always done in a new ORACLE_HOME. So the databases do not need to be stopped until each one is moved to the new home.
  * When the database is restarted in the new home, $ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/datapatch must be run to apply the SQL fixes.

=== From SQL*Plus in version 12 ===
<code>
select extract(sys.dbms_qpatch.get_opatch_list,'//patchDescription|//appliedDate|//patchID') from dual;
</code>

Now things are getting more interesting...\\

==== Patching ODA & Exadata ====
  *  [[Patching Oracle Database Appliance (ODA)]]
  *  [[Patching Exadata]]