Contents of the Control Files

• The control file contains the database name and identifier for the database to which it is associated
• The control file contains RESETLOGS SCN and associated time stamp
• The control file contains time stamp of database creation
• The control file contains tablespace names, names and locations of all data files and redo log files
• The control file contains the current redo log file sequence number
• The control file contains redo log archiving information, and checkpoint information
• Furthermore, the control file contains the beginning and ending of undo segments and relevant backup information

A control file contains all the information about its associated database that is or will be required for access of that database by an instance, both at startup time and during normal operations.