Oracle: Convert XMLType to Varchar2

Use xmltype.getStringVal() or xmltype.getClobVal() based on the size.

declare
myxml_type xmltype;
mystr Varchar2(4000);
begin
mystr :=myxml_type.getStringVal();
end;
/

Explain Plan table in Toad

There are 2 options

1. Use PLAN_TABLE that comes with the schema
2. Use TOAD_PLAN_TABLE (Created by Toad)

Option 1

Query user table for PLAN_TABLE

Select * from user_tables where table_name ='PLAN_TABLE'

Set this table in Toad Menu

View->Toad Options-> Select Oracle

on the right had side, you will see options for Explain Plan

Option 2

You can create TOAD_PLAN_TABLE, by running TOADPREP.SQL (Found in older version of Toads). This is no longer available in Toad 10

ORA-01172:recovery of thread 1 stuck at block xxxx of file x

Lately, I've been plagued with all sorts of Oracle start up errors on my Vista box. I have Oracle 11gR2 installed, and it seems to crash everytime I force reboot my vista box

Yesterday I got,

ORA-01172:recovery of thread 1 stuck at block xxxx of file x

To solve

1) Open SqlPlus from Oracle Bin folder, login as sys/zzz as sysdba
2) Since the database is not open, you can only query on fixed tables/Views
3) Query on v$datafile for the file name in the error message

If the error is "ORA-01172:recovery of thread 1 stuck at block 1241 of file 3",

then Select name from v$datafile where file#=3

4) Recover datafile name_from_the_above_select
5) If file is recovered, then try
Alter database open

6) In my case, I got some weird ora-6000 [4194], So I did a shutdown and startup force, which resovled my issue

7) Shutdown immediate
8) Startup force

Ubuntu Wireless driver for Dell

After installing Ubuntu, go to additional drivers and install Broadcam STA Wireless driver.

This driver enabled my Wireless card ( Dell Wireless 1510), and works great.