List of DBA Views

SELECT * FROM DICT
WHERE TABLE_NAME LIKE 'DBA\_%' ESCAPE '\'

List of Dynamic Performance Views
(these are only synonyms for SYS.GV_$)

SELECT * FROM DICT WHERE TABLE_NAME LIKE 'V$%'

List of Global Dynamic Performance Views used in RAC
(these are only synonyms for SYS.GV_$)

SELECT * FROM DICT WHERE TABLE_NAME LIKE 'GV$%'

Note: The content of V$ and GV$ views is always reset during instance restart.

If you want to grant privileges on any of the v$ or gv$ you need to grant to the SYS.V_$ or SYS.GV_$.
Eg.:

GRANT SELECT ON SYS.V_$SESSION TO SOME_USER;

For description of specific view and or columns do this:

  1. Navigate to Oracle documentation search page  here.
  2. Enter a word or phrase: V$SESSION (Search)
  3. Decide what version of docs is appropriate for you:  Oracle Database 10g Release 2 (10.2)
  4. Search this library for “V$SESSION”.
  5. Click Reference (18 matching topics)
  6. Click Chapter V$SESSION.