The recycle bin is essentially a data dictionary table that stores information about deleted database objects, including databases and tables.
Background information
When deleting database objects:
If the recycle bin is enabled, the deleted objects are moved to the recycle bin. You can query these deleted objects in the recycle bin and perform restore or permanent deletion operations.
If the recycle bin is disabled, objects are not moved to the recycle bin and cannot be queried there.
Deleted database objects in the recycle bin continue to occupy storage space until they are manually purged or automatically removed by the system's auto-delete process.
Supported objects
In the current version, the recycle bin supports indexes, tables, and databases.
Note
- When an index is directly dropped, it does not go to the recycle bin. However, when a table is dropped, its associated indexes are moved to the recycle bin along with the table.
- When performing FLASHBACK operations, you must follow the object dependency order: Database > Table.
- Indexes cannot be restored independently; they are restored automatically when their associated table is restored.
- Objects in the recycle bin cannot be queried or modified through DML operations. Only PURGE and FLASHBACK DDL operations are supported.