Backup Terminology

Whole database backup: Includes all data files and at least one control file (Remember that all control files in a database are identical.)
Partial database backup: May include zero or more tablespaces and zero or more data files; may or may not include a control file
Full backup: Makes a copy of each data block that contains data and that is within the files being backed up
Incremental backup: Makes a copy of all data blocks that have changed since a previous backup. The Oracle database supports two levels of incremental backup (0 and 1). A level 1 incremental backup can be one of two types: cumulative or differential. A cumulative backup backs up all changes since the last level 0 backup. A differential backup backs up all changes since the last incremental backup (which could be either a level 0 or level 1 backup). Change Tracking with RMAN supports incremental backups.