ORA-07202: sltln: invalid parameter to sltln

I hit this issue today while creating a new 10.2.0.3 database using DBCA. Recently, I’ve started to use DBCA more often and I try to use its template management capabilities. It looks like templates is not the most robust feature of Database Configuration Assistant. Sometimes, there are issues when I want to reuse template.

Today was no exception. I saved template earlier and tried to reuse it today. However, CREATE DATABASE failed with ORA-07202: sltln: invalid parameter to sltln.

I reviewed the parameters and found that control_files is set to an empty string. Checked Metaclick and, indeed, this error is related to empty control_files parameter. After I fixed that – DBCA continue flawlessly. I can’t believe I’m getting used to the GUI!