SQL*Plus

SQL*Plus is an Oracle command line utility which runs SQL and PL/SQL commands interactively or from a script. Complete documentation for SQL*Plus can be found on the Oracle website [cite web | title=Oracle SQL*Plus documentation | url=http://www.oracle.com/technology/docs/tech/sql_plus/index.html | accessdate=2007-11-26] .

SQL*Plus is a simple tool with a basic command line interface. It is commonly used because it is available in almost any Oracle software installation.

Command types

SQL*Plus understands SQL statements, PL/SQL blocks and internal commandscite web | url=http://www.orafaq.com/faq/sqlplus | title=SQL*Plus at orafaq.com | accessdate=2007-11-26] . All of these may be combined in scripts.

Launch SQL*Plus, for example, by entering sqlplus scott/tiger where scott is an Oracle user with the password tiger. SQL*Plus then presents a prompt:

SQL>

Enter a SQL statement (terminated by a semicolon) PL/SQL block or other command.

SQL> select 'Hello world' as example from dual;

EXAMPLE--------------------------------Hello world

History

SQL*Plus's predecessor was called "UFI" ("User Friendly Interface"). UFI was included in Oracle database releases up to Version 4.

After new features were added to UFI, it was renamed internally to "Advanced UFI". The name "Advanced UFI" was changed to SQL*Plus before this version was released.

The current name of the product is "SQL*Plus".

Uses

Interactive use has mostly been replaced by graphical interfaces from Oracle or third parties. Oracle shops use SQL*Plus scripts for batch updating, simple reports.

Compatibility

Other vendors have made their software somewhat compatible with SQL*Plus script commands or offer a SQL*Plus mode of operation. Products include TOAD from Quest and others.

References

External links

* [http://www.oracle.com/technology/docs/tech/sql_plus/index.html SQL*Plus]
* [http://www.orafaq.com/faq/sqlplus SQL*Plus FAQ]
* [http://www.oracle-database-tips.com/oracle_sqlplus_tutorials.html Oracle sqlplus tutorials]