SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference
Release 8.1.5

A66736-01

Library

Product

Index

Next

Contents

Title and Copyright Information

Preface

Send Us Your Comments

Part I Understanding SQL*Plus

1 Introduction

Overview of SQL*Plus
Basic Concepts
Who Can Use SQL*Plus
Other Ways of Working with Oracle
Using this Guide
Conventions for Command Syntax
Sample Tables
What You Need to Run SQL*Plus
Hardware and Software
Information Specific to Your Operating System
Username and Password
Access to Sample Tables

2 Learning SQL*Plus Basics

Getting Started
Using the Keyboard
Starting SQL*Plus
Shortcuts to Starting SQL*Plus
Leaving SQL*Plus
Entering and Executing Commands
Entering Commands
Getting Help
Executing Commands
Running SQL Commands
Understanding SQL Command Syntax
The SQL Buffer
Executing the Current SQL Command or PL/SQL Block from
the Command Prompt
Running PL/SQL Blocks
Running SQL*Plus Commands
Understanding SQL*Plus Command Syntax
Variables that Affect Running Commands
Saving Changes to the Database Automatically
Stopping a Command while it is Running
Collecting Timing Statistics on Commands You Run
Running Host Operating System Commands
Getting Help
Listing a Table Definition
Listing PL/SQL Definitions
Controlling the Display
Interpreting Error Messages

3 Manipulating Commands

Editing Commands
Listing the Buffer Contents
Editing the Current Line
Adding a New Line
Appending Text to a Line
Deleting Lines
Editing Commands with a System Editor
Saving Commands for Later Use
Storing Commands in Command Files
Creating a Command File by Saving the Buffer Contents
Creating a Command File by Using INPUT and SAVE
Creating Command Files with a System Editor
Placing Comments in Command Files
Using the REMARK Command
Using /*...*/
Using - -
Retrieving Command Files
Running Command Files
Running a Command File as You Start SQL*Plus
Nesting Command Files
Modifying Command Files
Exiting from a Command File with a Return Code
Setting Up Your SQL*Plus Environment
Modifying Your LOGIN File
Storing and Restoring SQL*Plus System Variables
Restoring the System Variables
Writing Interactive Commands
Defining User Variables
Using Substitution Variables
Where and How to Use Substitution Variables
Avoiding Unnecessary Prompts for Values
Restrictions
System Variables
Passing Parameters through the START Command
Communicating with the User
Prompting for and Accepting User Variable
Customizing Prompts for Substitution Variable
Sending a Message and Accepting [Return] as Input
Clearing the Screen
Using Bind Variables
Creating Bind Variables
Referencing Bind Variables
Displaying Bind Variables
Using REFCURSOR Bind Variables
Tracing Statements
Controlling the Report
Execution Plan
Statistics
Tracing Parallel and Distributed Queries

4 Formatting Query Results

Formatting Columns
Changing Column Headings
Formatting NUMBER Columns
Formatting Datatypes
Copying Column Display Attributes
Listing and Resetting Column Display Attributes
Suppressing and Restoring Column Display Attributes
Printing a Line of Characters after Wrapped Column Values
Clarifying Your Report with Spacing and Summary Lines
Suppressing Duplicate Values in Break Columns
Inserting Space when a Break Column's Value Changes
Inserting Space after Every Row
Using Multiple Spacing Techniques
Listing and Removing Break Definitions
Computing Summary Lines when a Break Column's Value Changes
Computing Summary Lines at the End of the Report
Computing Multiple Summary Values and Lines
Listing and Removing COMPUTE Definitions
Defining Page and Report Titles and Dimensions
Setting the Top and Bottom Titles and Headers and Footers
Displaying the Page Number and other System-Maintained Values in Titles
Listing, Suppressing, and Restoring Page Title Definitions
Displaying Column Values in Titles
Displaying the Current Date in Titles
Setting Page Dimensions
Sending Results to a File
Storing and Printing Query Results
Creating a Flat File
Sending Results to a Printer

5 Database Administration

Overview
Introduction to Database Startup and Shutdown
Database Startup
Database Shutdown
Redo Log Files
ARCHIVELOG Mode
Database Recovery

6 Accessing SQL Databases

Connecting to the Default Database
Connecting to a Remote Database
Connecting to a Remote Database from within SQL*Plus
Connecting to a Remote Database as You Start SQL*Plus
Copying Data from One Database to Another
Understanding COPY Command Syntax
Controlling Treatment of the Destination Table
Interpreting the Messages that COPY Displays
Specifying Another User's Table
Copying Data between Tables on One Database

Part II Reference

7 Starting SQL*Plus and Getting Help

Starting SQL*Plus Using the SQLPLUS Command
Setting Up the Site Profile
Setting Up the User Profile
Receiving a Return Code
Getting Help

8 Command Reference

SQL*Plus Command Summary
@ ("at" sign)
@@ (double"at" sign)
/ (slash)
ACCEPT
APPEND
ARCHIVE LOG
ATTRIBUTE
BREAK
BTITLE
CHANGE
CLEAR
COLUMN
COMPUTE
CONNECT
COPY
DEFINE
DEL
DESCRIBE
DISCONNECT
EDIT
EXECUTE
EXIT
GET
HELP
HOST
INPUT
LIST
PASSWORD
PAUSE
PRINT
PROMPT
RECOVER
REMARK
REPFOOTER
REPHEADER
RUN
SAVE
SET
SHOW
SHUTDOWN
SPOOL
START
STARTUP
STORE
TIMING
TTITLE
UNDEFINE
VARIABLE
WHENEVER OSERROR
WHENEVER SQLERROR

A COPY Command Messages and Codes

B Release 8.1.5 Enhancements

C SQL*Plus Limits

D SQL Command List

E Security

F SQL*Plus Commands from Earlier Releases

Glossary

Index


Next
Oracle
Copyright © 1999 Oracle Corporation.

All Rights Reserved.

Library

Product

Index