Control Files Init.ora parameter

You specify control file names using the CONTROL_FILES initialization parameter in the database's initialization parameter file.

The instance startup procedure recognizes and opens all the listed files. The instance writes to and maintains all listed control files during database operation.

If you do not specify files for CONTROL_FILES before database creation, and you are not using the Oracle Managed Files feature, Oracle creates a control file and uses a default filename. The default name is operating system specific.