1. Dept. of Computer & Information Sciences
Riyadh Philanthropic Society For Science
Prince Sultan College For Woman
Dept. of Computer & Information Sciences
CS 340
Introduction to Database Systems
(ORACLE SQL*Plus)

2. SQL*Plus - Introduction
SQL*Plus is essentially an interactive command editor which
enables the user to interrogate the database, e.g.:
CREATE, ALTER, and DROP tables.
INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE rows.
Specify primary keys , foreign keys, and indexes.
GRANT and REVOKE access privileges.
In order to perform these functions, the user enters a series of SQL
statements.
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3. SQL*Plus - Getting Started
When you open SQL*Plus, you will be promoted for Name,
Password, & Host string.
scott
psu
stddata
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4. SQL*Plus - Getting Started
If the previous information have been entered correctly, SQL*Plus
displays its own command line prompt; by default, SQL>.
Any SQL command can be entered here
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5. SQL*Plus - Getting Help
Full on-line help is available while using SQL*Plus.
To get help:
Select the help menu option, or
Enter help at the SQL*Plus prompt
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6. SQL*Plus - Entering and Executing SQL Statements
SQL statements entered at the SQL*Plus prompt are held in a multi-
line command buffer.
Non-SQL statements (such as help) may be entered without
changing the contents of the SQL buffer.
The buffer retains the contents of the latest SQL statement until a
new SQL statement is entered or the buffer is cleared using the
clear buffer command.
The contents of the SQL buffer can be edited using several
commands. (see manual)
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7. SQL*Plus - Entering and Executing SQL Statements
An SQL statement is executed immediately if the last line of the
statement is terminated with a semi-colon.
Additionally, the statement currently in the SQL buffer can be
executed by entering:
A / (on its own), or
The keyword run
At the SQL*Plus prompt.
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8. SQL*Plus - Saving Buffer Contents
The contents of the SQL buffer can be saved in an operating system
file by entering the command:
save filename[.ext] [replace]
If the .ext is omitted, the file will be given the extension .sql.
The optional argument replace allows an existing file to be
overwritten.
Using the optional argument append instead of replace allows the
contents of the SQL buffer to be appended to an existing file.
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9. SQL*Plus - Retrieving and Executing SQL Files
Either of the following commands can be issued at the SQL*Plus
prompt:
start filename[.ext] or
@filename[.ext]
In either case the specified file is executed and the final SQL
statement in the file is retained in the buffer.
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10. SQL*Plus - Retrieving a File into the SQL Buffer
To load an SQL file into the buffer without executing it the
following command may be issued:
get filename[.ext]
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11. SQL*Plus - Using a Text Editor
To overcome the limitations of the SQL buffer, a host operating
system text editor or notepad may be used instead.
The main benefit of using a text editor (apart from its editing
capabilities) is the ability to create files containing multiple SQL
statements.
Each statement (except optionally the last) must be terminated by a
semi-colon.
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12. SQL*Plus - Describing Tables
The structure of any table within the database may be displayed by
entering the command describe at the SQL*Plus prompt.
Syntax:
describe tablename
The names and types of each column within the specified table will
be displayed.
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13. SQL*Plus - Quitting
To quit SQL*Plus, either one of the following commands can be
used:
quit, or
exit.
Both commands automatically commit any outstanding changes to
the database.
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