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The MSD_AUDIT_SQL_STATEMENTS table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) versions 12.1.1 and 12.2.2 is a critical repository for auditing SQL statements executed within the system. This table is part of the Oracle Diagnostics framework, specifically designed to capture and store SQL execution details for performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and compliance purposes. Below is a detailed analysis of its structure, purpose, and relevance in Oracle EBS environments.

Purpose and Context

The MSD_AUDIT_SQL_STATEMENTS table serves as a centralized audit log for SQL statements executed in Oracle EBS. It is primarily used by Oracle Diagnostics and Monitoring tools to track SQL performance, identify bottlenecks, and ensure adherence to security policies. This table is particularly useful for DBAs and functional consultants who need to analyze query execution patterns, optimize performance, or investigate unauthorized access.

Table Structure

The table contains columns that capture comprehensive metadata about executed SQL statements, including but not limited to:
  • SQL_ID: A unique identifier for the SQL statement, derived from its hash value.
  • SQL_TEXT: The actual SQL query text, often truncated for very long statements.
  • EXECUTIONS: The number of times the SQL statement has been executed.
  • ELAPSED_TIME: Total time taken by all executions of the SQL statement.
  • MODULE: The application or module (e.g., Oracle Forms, Concurrent Manager) that executed the SQL.
  • ACTION: A more granular identifier for the operation, such as a specific form or report.
  • LAST_ACTIVE_TIME: The timestamp of the most recent execution.
  • USERNAME: The database user who executed the SQL statement.

Key Use Cases

  1. Performance Tuning: By analyzing high-elapsed-time queries, DBAs can identify and optimize poorly performing SQL statements.
  2. Security Auditing The table helps track unauthorized or suspicious SQL activities, such as ad-hoc queries against sensitive tables.
  3. Compliance Reporting Organizations can generate audit reports to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements like SOX or GDPR.
  4. Troubleshooting Functional consultants can correlate SQL executions with application errors to diagnose issues.

Integration with Oracle EBS

In Oracle EBS 12.1.1 and 12.2.2, the MSD_AUDIT_SQL_STATEMENTS table is populated by the Oracle Diagnostics framework, which hooks into the database layer to capture SQL activity. It integrates with tools like Oracle Application Manager (OAM) and Automatic Workload Repository (AWR) to provide a holistic view of system performance. The table is often queried in conjunction with other diagnostic tables like MSD_AUDIT_SQL_BINDS or MSD_AUDIT_SQL_PLANS for deeper analysis.

Maintenance Considerations

Given its audit nature, the MSD_AUDIT_SQL_STATEMENTS table can grow rapidly in high-transaction environments. Oracle provides purging mechanisms, such as the FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS program, to manage table size. DBAs should schedule regular purges to prevent excessive storage consumption.

Conclusion

The MSD_AUDIT_SQL_STATEMENTS table is an indispensable component of Oracle EBS diagnostics and auditing. Its structured data enables efficient performance monitoring, security enforcement, and compliance reporting. Proper utilization of this table can significantly enhance the stability and security of Oracle EBS deployments in versions 12.1.1 and 12.2.2.