Two initialization parameters specify where the trace files are stored:
BACKGROUND_DUMP_DES
Specifies the location for trace files created by the Oracle background processes PMON, DBWR, LGWR, and SMON.
USER_DUMP_DEST
Specifies the location for trace files created by user processes such as SQL*DBA, SQL*Plus, or Pro*C.
The Alert file also describes the location of trace files generated when internal errors occur. See the next section for a description of the Alert file.
You may need to format the trace file before using it to diagnose problems. To format a trace file, use the DUMPFMT utility, which is available on most systems and is described in your operating system-specific Oracle documentation. Customer support may ask you for a formatted trace file to help solve a problem.
For more information about trace files, see the Oracle7 Server Administrator's Guide.