There is a "pseudo" path for determining the location of the tnsnames
file... once it finds one it will ignore the others...

What I cannot recall is whether the TNS_ADMIN environment variable
overrides the "local Directory" or not.. My initial recollection is
that the "LOCAL DIRECTORY " copy is the first one used. So if it is found
that is it... the environment variable will not matter. I think the
hierarchy is

Local Directory
TNS_Names Environment/Registry variable
ORACLE_HOME/NETWORK/ADMIN

This is going back to my earlier experiences with ORA 7.3, so it is
possible things may have changed.


John Best - Project Manager (PMP)
Caterpillar Global IT
Distributed Factory & Procurement Systems Development
309-675-9950 (5-9950)
[Email address protected]


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