The pfile and spfile is the important file for the database. The pfile is a parameter file and spfile is a server parameter file in Oracle. The spfile by default locate under the database folder and pfile under the dbs folder on window. The pfile and spfile by default locate under the dbs folder on Linux. In Oracle9i, a new feature called spfile was introduced.More learn....... http://www.dbtalks.com/UploadFile/anjudidi/933/