You must design an Oracle Data Guard configuration for a DSS database that meets these permanent requirements: 1. Creating and maintaining bitmap…

A single logical standby database meets all stated requirements with the fewest number of databases. Because a logical standby is open for read-write access while applying changes, it can host its own bitmap indexes and materialized views, offloading their maintenance from the primary (permanent requirements). It also serves as an up-to-date replica for application testing. Furthermore, a logical standby can be used for rolling patches and database release upgrades to minimize downtime, thus satisfying all the temporary requirements.

B. Two logical standby databases would work, but the question asks for the solution with the "fewest of databases." One is sufficient.
C. A physical standby is a block-for-block copy and cannot have its own independent indexes or materialized views, failing the permanent requirements.
D. Two physical standby databases would also fail the permanent requirements for the same reason as a single physical standby.
E. This configuration works but requires an additional database (one logical and one physical standby) compared to using a single, capable logical standby.

1. Oracle Data Guard Concepts and Administration, 19c, E96601-16, Section 1.4.2, "Logical Standby Databases". This section explains that a logical standby is updated using SQL statements and can be used for other tasks concurrently with SQL Apply.

2. Oracle Data Guard Concepts and Administration, 19c, E96601-16, Section 12.1, "Using a Logical Standby Database for Rolling Upgrades". This section confirms that logical standbys can be used to perform rolling upgrades of database software.

3. Oracle Database High Availability Best Practices, 12c, Page 17. "A logical standby database can be used to offload reporting activities from the primary database... It is possible to create additional indexes and materialized views on the logical standby to improve query performance."