The below step are for optimizing performace of Oracle8i Database :

• Tune architecture and design of the data model.
• Tune Applications. It’s important to design efficient SQL statements. Efficient SQL Statement take less time to process. You must also consider the data access and manipulation operations in detail.
• Tune memory structures, memory tuning involves tuning the System Global Area (SGA) and user process memory.
• Tune I/O, involves configuring the distribution of data files, segment types, and tablespaces. I/O tuning also involves monitoring the interaction between data files and memory during reads and writes.
• Reduce contention between actions in the database. Since an oracle database is normally used by multiple users, tuning is need to minimize the time that processes have to wait a resource is available. Resource that can involve contention include blocks, shared pool, locks, and latches.
• Tune the operating system to handle the current demands of database server.