Introduction
This chapter introduces you to SQL*Plus, covering the following topics:
Overview of SQL*Plus
You can use the SQL*Plus program in conjunction with the SQL database language and its procedural language extension, PL/SQL. The SQL database language allows you to store and retrieve data in Oracle. PL/SQL allows you to link several SQL commands through procedural logic.
SQL*Plus enables you to manipulate SQL commands and PL/SQL blocks, and to perform many additional tasks as well. Through SQL*Plus, you can
- enter, edit, store, retrieve, and run SQL commands and PL/SQL blocks
- format, perform calculations on, store, and print query results in the form of reports
- list column definitions for any table
- access and copy data between SQL databases
- send messages to and accept responses from an end user
Basic Concepts
The following definitions explain concepts central to SQL*Plus:
Who Can Use SQL*Plus
The SQL*Plus, SQL, and PL/SQL command languages are powerful enough to serve the needs of users with some database experience, yet straightforward enough for new users who are just learning to work with Oracle.
The design of the SQL*Plus command language makes it easy to use. For example, to give a column labelled ENAME in the database the clearer heading "Employee", you might enter the following command:
COLUMN ENAME HEADING EMPLOYEE
Similarly, to list the column definitions for a table called EMP, you might enter this command:
DESCRIBE EMP
Other Ways of Working with Oracle
Oracle serves as the foundation for a complete set of application development, and office automation tools. These tools support every phase of a system's development and life cycle, from analysis and design through implementation and maintenance.
| Designer/2000
| a set of second generation client/server design tools
|
| Developer/2000
| a set of second generation client/server development tools
|
| Discoverer/2000
| a set of end-user query tools
|
| Programmer/2000
| a set of 3GL programming language interfaces
|
| Text Server Option
| an option to include full text storage and retrieval in databases
|
| Spatial Data Option
| an option to include multi-dimensional (spatial) data in databases
|
| Mobile Agents
| a tool for applications using mobile and/or detached clients
|
| Oracle Web Application Server
| a tool which enables database access through Web browsers and the Internet
|
| Gateways
| a tool which enables access to data in non-Oracle databases
|
| Media Objects
| a development tool for object-oriented multimedia applications
|
| Oracle InterOffice
| an electronic messaging (Email), calendar, scheduling and document management system
|
Using this Guide
This Guide gives you information on SQL*Plus that applies to all operating systems. Some aspects of SQL*Plus, however, differ on each operating system. Such operating system specific details are covered in the Oracle installation and user's manual(s) provided for your system. Use these operating system specific manuals in conjunction with the SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference.
Throughout this Guide, examples showing how to enter commands use a common command syntax and a common set of sample tables. Both are described below. You will find the conventions for command syntax particularly useful when referring to the reference portion of this Guide.
Conventions for Command Syntax
The following two tables describe the notation and conventions for command syntax used in this Guide.
| Feature
| Example
| Explanation
|
| uppercase
| BTITLE
| Enter text exactly as spelled; it need not be in uppercase.
|
| lowercase italics
| column
| A clause value; substitute an appropriate value.
|
| words with specific meanings
| c
| A single character.
|
|
| char
| A CHAR value--a literal in single quotes--or an expression with a CHAR value.
|
|
| d or e
| A date or an expression with a DATE value.
|
|
| expr
| An unspecified expression.
|
|
| m or n
| A number or an expression with a NUMBER value.
|
|
| text
| A CHAR constant with or without single quotes.
|
|
| variable
| A user variable (unless the text specifies another variable type).
|
| Table 1 - 1. Commands, Terms, and Clauses
|
|
|
Other words are explained where used if their meaning is not explained by context.
| Feature
| Example
| Explanation
|
| vertical bar
| |
| Separates alternative syntax elements that may be optional or mandatory.
|
| brackets
| [OFF|ON]
| One or more optional items. If two items appear separated by |, enter one of the items separated by |. Do not enter the brackets or |.
|
| braces
| {OFF|ON}
| A choice of mandatory items; enter one of the items separated by |. Do not enter the braces or |.
|
| underlining
| {OFF|ON}
| A default value; if you enter nothing, SQL*Plus assumes the underlined value.
|
| ellipsis
| n...
| Preceding item(s) may be repeated any number of times.
|
| Table 1 - 2. Punctuation
|
|
|
Enter other punctuation marks (such as parentheses) where shown in the command syntax.
Sample Tables
Many of the concepts and operations in this Guide are illustrated by a set of sample tables. These tables contain personnel records for a fictitious company. As you complete the exercises in this Guide, imagine that you are the personnel director for this company.
The exercises make use of the information in two sample tables:
Figure 1 - 1 and Figure 1 - 2 show the information in these tables.
EMPNO ENAME JOB MGR HIREDATE SAL COMM DEPTNO
----- ----- -------- ---- ----------- ------ ------ ------
7369 SMITH CLERK 7902 17-DEC-80 800 20
7499 ALLEN SALESMAN 7698 20-FEB-81 1600 300 30
7521 WARD SALESMAN 7698 22-FEB-81 1250 500 30
7566 JONES MANAGER 7839 02-APR-81 2975 20
7654 MARTIN SALESMAN 7698 28-SEP-81 1250 1400 30
7698 BLAKE MANAGER 7839 01-MAY-81 2850 30
7782 CLARK MANAGER 7839 09-JUN-81 2450 30
7788 SCOTT ANALYST 7566 09-DEC-82 3000 20
7839 KING PRESIDENT 17-NOV-81 5000 10
7844 TURNER SALESMAN 7698 08-SEP-81 1500 0 30
7876 ADAMS CLERK 7788 12-JAN-83 1100 20
7900 JAMES CLERK 7698 03-DEC-81 950 30
7902 FORD ANALYST 7566 03-DEC-81 3000 20
7934 MILLER CLERK 7782 23-JAN-82 1300 10
DEPTNO DNAME LOC
--------- ------------- -----------
10 ACCOUNTING NEW YORK
20 RESEARCH DALLAS
30 SALES CHICAGO
40 OPERATIONS BOSTON
What You Need to Run SQL*Plus
To run SQL*Plus, you need hardware, software, operating system specific information, a username and password, and access to one or more tables.
Hardware and Software
Oracle and SQL*Plus can run on many different kinds of computers. Your computer's operating system manages the computer's resources and mediates between the computer hardware and programs such as SQL*Plus. Different computers use different operating systems. For information about your computer's operating system, see the documentation provided with the computer.
Before you can begin using SQL*Plus, both Oracle and SQL*Plus must be installed on your computer. Note that in order to take full advantage of the enhancements in SQL*Plus Release 8.0, you must have Oracle8. For a list of SQL*Plus Release 8.0 enhancements, see Appendix B.
If you have multiple users on your computer, your organization should have a Database Administrator (called a DBA) who supervises the use of Oracle.
The DBA is responsible for installing Oracle and SQL*Plus on your system. If you are acting as DBA, see the instructions for installing Oracle and SQL*Plus in the Oracle installation and user's manual(s) provided for your operating system.
Information Specific to Your Operating System
A few aspects of Oracle and SQL*Plus differ from one type of host computer and operating system to another. These topics are discussed in the Oracle installation and user's manual(s), published in a separate version for each host computer and operating system that SQL*Plus supports.
Keep a copy of your Oracle installation and user's manual(s) available for reference as you work through this Guide. When necessary, this Guide will refer you to your installation and user's manual(s).
Username and Password
When you start SQL*Plus, you will need a username that identifies you as an authorized Oracle user and a password that proves you are the legitimate owner of your username. See the PASSWORD command![[*]](jump.gif)
for details on how to change your password. The demonstration username, SCOTT, and password, TIGER, may be set up on your system during the installation procedure. In this case, you can use the Oracle username SCOTT and password TIGER with the EMP and DEPT tables (Figure 1 - 1 and Figure 1 - 2).
Multi-User Systems
If several people share your computer's operating system, your DBA can set up your SQL*Plus username and password. You will also need a system username and password to gain admittance to the operating system. These may or may not be the same ones you use with SQL*Plus.
Single-User Systems
If only one person at a time uses your computer, you may be expected to perform the DBA's functions for yourself. In that case, you can use the Oracle username SCOTT and password TIGER. If you want to define your own username and password, see the Oracle8 Server SQL Reference Manual.
Access to Sample Tables
Each table in the database is "owned" by a particular user. You may wish to have your own copies of the sample tables to use as you try the examples in this Guide. To get your own copies of the tables, see your DBA or run the Oracle-supplied command file named DEMOBLD (you run this file from your operating system, not from SQL*Plus).
When you have no more use for the sample tables, remove them by running another Oracle-supplied command file named DEMODROP. For instructions on how to run DEMOBLD and DEMODROP, see the Oracle installation and user's manual(s) provided for your operating system.
