SQL*Plus
Quick Reference

Release 3.3
Part No. A42561–1

The Relational Database Management System

SQL*Plus Quick Reference, Release 3.3
Part No. A42561–1
Copyright E 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996 Oracle Corporation
All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Contributing Author: Frank Rovitto
Contributors: Larry Baer, Lisa Colston, Roland Kovacs, Karen Denchfield–Mas-
terson, Alison Holloway, Christopher Jones, Anita Lam, Nimish Mehta, Luan
Nim, Bud Osterberg, Richard Rendell, Farokh Shapoorjee, Larry Stevens, Andre
Touma
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SQL*Plus Quick
Reference

T his quick reference shows the syntax for SQL*Plus commands. For
detailed information on each command, refer to the SQL*Plus User’s
Guide and Reference.

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 1

Conventions for Command Syntax
The following two tables describe the notation and conventions for
command syntax used in this quick reference.

Commands, Terms, and

Clauses

Feature Example Explanation

uppercase boldface 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 c A single character.
meanings
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 of 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).

Other words are explained where used if their meaning is not

explained by context.

2 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

Punctuation
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.

Enter other punctuation marks (such as parentheses) where shown in

the command syntax.

Starting and Leaving SQL*Plus

Use the following commands to log in to and out of SQL*Plus.
SQLPLUS [[–S[ILENT]] [logon] [start]]|–?
Starts SQL*Plus from the operating system prompt.
logon Requires the following syntax:
username[/password][@database_spec]|
/|/NOLOG
start Requires the following syntax:
@file_name[.ext] [arg ...]
{EXIT|QUIT} [SUCCESS|FAILURE|WARNING|n|variable]
[COMMIT|ROLLBACK]

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 3

 Commits all pending changes, terminates SQL*Plus, and
returns control to the operating system.

Entering and Executing Commands

Use the following commands to execute and collect timing statistics on
SQL commands and PL/SQL blocks.
/ (slash)
Executes the SQL command or PL/SQL block currently
stored in the SQL buffer. Does not list the command.
EXEC[UTE] statement
Executes a single PL/SQL statement.
R[UN]
Lists and executes the SQL command or PL/SQL block
currently stored in the SQL buffer.
TIMI[NG] [START text|SHOW|STOP]
Records timing data for an elapsed period of time, lists the
current timer’s name and timing data, or lists the number
of active timers.
Use the following command to access the help system.
HELP [topic]
Accesses help on SQL*Plus commands, PL/SQL
statements, and SQL statements.
Use the following command to execute host operating system
commands.
HO[ST] [command]
Executes a host operating system command without
leaving SQL*Plus.
Note: With some operating systems, you can use a “$” (VMS),
“!” (UNIX) or another character instead of HOST. See the
Oracle installation and user’s manual(s) provided for your
operating system for details.
Use the following command to run a SQL*Forms form from within
SQL*Plus.

4 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

 RUNFORM [options] form_name
Invokes a SQL*Forms application from within SQL*Plus.

Manipulating SQL, SQL*Plus, and PL/SQL Commands

Use the following commands to edit SQL commands and PL/SQL
blocks.
A[PPEND] text
Adds specified text to the end of the current line in the SQL
buffer. To separate text from the preceding characters with
a space, enter two spaces between APPEND and text. To
append text that ends with a semicolon, end the command
with two semicolons (SQL*Plus interprets a single
semicolon as a command terminator).
C[HANGE] sepchar old [sepchar [new [sepchar]]]
Changes text on the current line in the SQL buffer. You can
use any non-alphanumeric character such as “/” or “!” as a
sepchar. You can omit the space between CHANGE and the
first sepchar.
DEL [n|n m|n *|n LAST|*|* n|* LAST|LAST]
Deletes one or more lines of the buffer (“*” indicates the
current line). You can omit the space between DEL and n or
*, but not between DEL and LAST. Enter DEL with no
clauses to delete the current line of buffer.
I[NPUT] [text]
Adds one or more new lines of text after the current line in
the buffer.
L[IST] [n|n m|n *|n LAST|*|* n|* LAST|LAST]
Lists one or more lines of the buffer (“*” indicates the
current line). You can omit the space between LIST and n or
*, but not between LIST and LAST. Enter LIST with no
clauses to list all lines.

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 5

 Use the following commands to create and modify command files.
@ file_name[.ext] [arg ...]
Runs the specified command file. Specified arguments are
substituted for &1, &2, etc.
@@ file_name[.ext]
Runs the specified nested command file.
ED[IT] [file_name[.ext]]
Invokes a host operating system text editor on the contents
of the specified file or on the contents of the SQL buffer. To
edit the buffer contents, omit the file name.
GET file_name[.ext] [LIS[T]|NOL[IST]]
Loads a host operating system file into the SQL buffer.
REM[ARK]
Begins a comment in a command file. The REMARK
command must appear at the beginning of a line, and the
comment ends at the end of the line (a line cannot contain
both a comment and a command). SQL*Plus does not
interpret the comment as a command.
SAV[E] file_name[.ext] [CRE[ATE]|REP[LACE]|APP[END]]
Saves contents of the buffer into a host operating system
file (a command file).
STORE {SET} file_name[.ext] [CRE[ATE]|REP[LACE]|
APP[END]]
Saves the attributes of the current SQL*Plus environment in
a host operating system file (a command file).
STA[RT] file_name[.ext] [arg ...]
Executes the contents of the specified command file.
Specified arguments are substituted for &1, &2, etc.
WHENEVER OSERROR {EXIT [SUCCESS|FAILURE|n|variable]
[COMMIT|ROLLBACK]|CONTINUE [COMMIT|ROLLBACK|NONE]}
Exits SQL*Plus if an operating system error occurs (such as
a file I/O error).

6 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

WHENEVER SQLERROR {EXIT [SUCCESS|FAILURE|WARNING|
n|variable] [COMMIT|ROLLBACK]|CONTINUE
[COMMIT|ROLLBACK|NONE]}
Exits SQL*Plus if a SQL command or PL/SQL block
generates an error.
Use the following commands to write interactive commands.
ACC[EPT] variable [NUM[BER]|CHAR|DATE]
[FOR[MAT] format] [DEF[AULT] default]
[PROMPT text|NOPR[OMPT]] [HIDE]
Reads a line of input and stores it in a given user variable.
DEF[INE] [variable]|[variable = text]
Specifies a user variable and assigns it a CHAR value.
Alternatively, lists the value and variable type of a single
variable or all variables.
PAU[SE] [text]
Displays an empty line followed by a line containing text,
then waits for the user to press [Return]. Alternatively,
displays two empty lines and waits for the user’s response.
PROMPT [text]
Sends the specified message or a blank line to the user’s
screen.
UNDEF[INE] variable ...
Deletes given user variables that you defined either
explicitly (with the DEFINE command) or implicitly (with
an argument to the START command).
Use the following commands to create and display bind variables.
PRI[NT] [variable ...]
Displays the current values of bind variables.
VAR[IABLE] [variable {NUMBER|CHAR|CHAR (n)|
VARCHAR2 (n)|REFCURSOR}]
Declares a bind variable which can then be referenced in
PL/SQL. If no arguments are supplied, VARIABLE lists all
declared bind variables.

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 7

 Use the following symbols to create substitution variables and
parameters for use in command files.
&n Specifies a parameter in a command file you
run using the START command. START
substitutes values you list after the command
file name as follows: the first for &1, the
second for &2, etc.
&user_variable, Indicates a substitution variable in a SQL or
&&user_variable SQL*Plus command. SQL*Plus substitutes the
value of the specified user variable for each
substitution variable it encounters. If the user
variable is undefined, SQL*Plus prompts you
for a value each time an “&” variable is found,
and the first time an “&&” variable is found.
. (period) Terminates a substitution variable followed by
a character that would otherwise be part of the
variable name.

Formatting Query Results

Use the following commands to format, store and print your query
results.
BRE[AK] [ON report_element [action [action]]] ...
Specifies where and how formatting will change in a report
(e.g., skipping a line each time a given column value
changes). Enter BREAK with no clauses to list the current
BREAK definition.
report_ Requires the following syntax:
element
{column|expr|ROW|REPORT}
action Requires the following syntax:
[SKI[P] n|[SKI[P]] PAGE] [NODUP[LICATES]|
DUP[LICATES]]
BTI[TLE] [printspec [text|variable] ...]|[OFF|ON]
Places and formats the specified title at the bottom of each
report page, or lists the current BTITLE definition. See
TTITLE for additional information on valid printspec
clauses.

8 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

CL[EAR] option ...
Resets or erases the current value or setting for the
specified option; option represents one of the following
clauses:
BRE[AKS]
BUFF[ER]
COL[UMNS]
COMP[UTES]
SCR[EEN]
SQL
TIMI[NG]
COL[UMN] [{column|expr} [option ...]]
Specifies the display attributes for a given column, such as
text for the column heading, or formats for LONG, CHAR,
VARCHAR2 (VARCHAR), and NUMBER data; option
represents one of the following clauses:
ALI[AS] alias
CLE[AR]
FOLD_A[FTER]
FOLD_B[EFORE]
FOR[MAT] format
HEA[DING] text
JUS[TIFY] {L[EFT]|C[ENTER]|C[ENTRE]|R[IGHT]}
LIKE {expr|alias}
NEWL[INE]
NEW_V[ALUE] variable
NOPRI[NT]|PRI[NT]
NUL[L] text
OLD_V[ALUE] variable
ON|OFF
WRA[PPED]|WOR[D_WRAPPED]|TRU[NCATED]
Enter COLUMN followed by column or expr and no other
clauses to list the current display attributes for only the
specified column or expression. Enter COLUMN with no
clauses to list all current column display attributes.
Enter FORMAT followed by the appropriate format
element to specify the display format for the column. To
change the width of a CHAR, VARCHAR2 (VARCHAR),
LONG, or Trusted Oracle column to n, use FORMAT An.
(A stands for alphanumeric.)

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 9

 To change the display format of a NUMBER column, use FORMAT
followed by one of the elements in the following table:

Element Example(s) Description

9 9999 Number of “9”s specifies number of sig-
nificant digits returned. Blanks are dis-
played for leading zeroes and for a value
of zero.
0 0999 Displays a leading zero or a value of zero
9990 in this position as a 0, rather than as a
blank.
$ $9999 Prefixes value with dollar sign.
B B9999 Displays a zero value as blank, regardless
of “0”s in the format model.
MI 9999MI Displays “–” after a negative value. For a
positive value, a trailing space is dis-
played.
S S9999 Returns “+” for positive values and “–”
for negative values in this position.
PR 9999PR Displays a negative value in <angle brack-
ets>. For a positive value, a leading and
trailing space is displayed.
D 99D99 Displays the decimal character in this
position, separating the integral and frac-
tional parts of a number.
G 9G999 Displays the group separator in this posi-
tion.
C C999 Displays the ISO currency symbol in this
position.
L L999 Displays the local currency symbol in this
position.
, (comma) 9,999 Displays a comma in this position.
. (period) 99.99 Displays a period (decimal point) in this
position, separating the integral and frac-
tional parts of a number.
V 999V99 Multiplies value by 10 n, where n is the
number of “9’s” after the “V.”
EEEE 9.999EEEE Displays value in scientific notation (for-
mat must contain exactly four “E’s”).

10 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

Element Example(s) Description
RN or rn RN Displays upper- or lowercase Roman nu-
merals. Value can be an integer between 1
and 3999.
DATE DATE Displays value as a date in MM/DD/YY
format; used to format NUMBER columns
that represent Julian dates.

COMP[UTE] [function [LAB[EL] text] ...

OF {expr|column|alias} ...
ON {expr|column|alias|REPORT|ROW} ...]
Calculates and prints summary lines, using various
standard computations, on subsets of selected rows. Or,
lists all COMPUTE definitions. The following table lists
valid functions. All functions except NUMBER apply to
non-null values only.
Function Computes Applies to Datatypes
AVG Average of non-null values NUMBER
COU[NT] Count of non-null values All types
MAX[IMUM] Maximum value NUMBER, CHAR,
VARCHAR2 (VAR-
CHAR)
MIN[IMUM] Minimum value NUMBER, CHAR,
VARCHAR2 (VAR-
CHAR)
NUM[BER] Count of rows All types
STD Standard diviation of non-null NUMBER
values
SUM Sum of non-null values NUMBER
VAR[IANCE] Variance of non-null values NUMBER

REPF[OOTER] [PAGE] [printspec [text|variable] ...] |

[OFF|ON]
Places and formats a specified report footer at the bottom
of each report, or lists the current REPFOOTER definition.
See REPHEADER for additional information on valid
printspec clauses.

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 11

 REPH[EADER] [PAGE] [printspec [text|variable] ...] |
[OFF|ON]
Places and formats a specified report header at the top of
each report, or lists the current REPHEADER definition.
Use one of the following clauses in place of printspec:
COL n
S[KIP] [n]
TAB n
LE[FT]
CE[NTER]
R[IGHT]
BOLD
FORMAT text
SPO[OL] [filename[.ext]|OFF|OUT]
Stores query results in an operating system file and,
optionally, sends the file to a printer. OFF stops spooling.
OUT stops spooling and sends the file to your host
computer’s standard (default) printer. Enter SPOOL with
no clauses to list the current spooling status.
TTI[TLE] [printspec [text|variable] ...]|[OFF|ON]
Places and formats a specified title at the top of each report
page, or lists the current TTITLE definition. Use one of the
following clauses in place of printspec:
COL n
S[KIP] [n]
TAB n
LE[FT]
CE[NTER]
R[IGHT]
BOLD
FORMAT text

12 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

Accessing Databases
Use the following commands to access and copy data between tables
on different databases.
CONN[ECT] [username[/password][@database_spec]|/]
Connects a given username to Oracle. If you omit
database_spec, connects you to the default database. If you
omit username and/or password, SQL*Plus prompts for
them. CONNECT followed by a slash (/) connects you
using a default (ops$) logon.
DISC[ONNECT]
Commits pending changes to the database and logs the
current username off Oracle, but does not exit SQL*Plus.
COPY {FROM username[/password]@database_spec|
TO username[/password]@database_spec|
FROM username[/password]@database_spec
TO username[/password]@database_spec}
{APPEND|CREATE|INSERT|REPLACE} destination_table
[(column, column ...)]
USING query
Copies data from one Oracle database to a table in another.
APPEND, CREATE, INSERT, or REPLACE specifies how
COPY treats the existing copy of the destination table (if it
exists). USING query identifies the source table and
determines which rows and columns COPY copies from it.

Miscellaneous
DESC[RIBE] {[user.]table[@database_link_name]
[column]|[user.]object[.subobject]}
Lists the column definitions for the specified table, view, or
synonym or the specifications for the specified function or
procedure.
SET system_variable value
Sets a system variable to alter the SQL*Plus environment
for your current session, such as setting the display width

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 13

 for NUMBER data or the number of lines per page. Enter a
system variable followed by a value as shown below:
APPI[NFO]{ON|OFF|text}
ARRAY[SIZE] {20|n}
AUTO[COMMIT] {OFF|ON|IMM[EDIATE]|n}
AUTOP[RINT] {OFF|ON}
AUTOT[RACE] {OFF|ON|TRACE[ONLY]} [EXP[LAIN]]
[STAT[ISTICS]]
BLO[CKTERMINATOR] {.|c}
CLOSECUR[SOR] {OFF|ON}
CMDS[EP] {;|c|OFF|ON}
COLSEP {_|text)
COM[PATIBILITY] {V6|V7|NATIVE]
CON[CAT] {.|c|OFF|ON}
COPYC[OMMIT] {0|n}
COPYTYPECHECK {OFF|ON}
CRT crt
DEF[INE] {’&’|c|OFF|ON}
ECHO {OFF|ON}
EDITF[ILE] file_name[.ext]
EMBEDDED {OFF|ON}
ESC[APE] {\|c|OFF|ON}
FEED[BACK] {6|n|OFF|ON}
FLAGGER {OFF|ENTRY|INTERMED[IATE]|FULL}
FLU[SH] {OFF|ON}
HEA[DING] {OFF|ON}
HEADS[EP] {||c|OFF|ON}
LIN[ESIZE] [80|n]
LONG {80|n}
LONGC[HUNKSIZE] [80|n]
MAXD[ATA] n
NEWP[AGE] {1|n}
NULL text
NUMF[ORMAT] format
NUM[WIDTH] {10|n}
PAGES[IZE] {24|n}
PAU[SE] {OFF|ON|text}
RECSEP {WR[APPED]|EA[CH]|OFF}
RECSEPCHAR { |c}
SERVEROUT[PUT] {OFF|ON} [SIZE n] [FOR[MAT]
{WRA[PPED]|WOR[D_WRAPPED]|TRU[NCATED]}]
SHOW[MODE] {OFF|ON}
SQLC[ASE] {MIX[ED]|LO[WER]|UP[PER]}
SQLCO[NTINUE] {> |text}

14 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

 SQLN[UMBER] {OFF|ON}
SQLPRE[FIX] {#|c}
SQLP[ROMPT] {SQL>|text}
SQLT[ERMINATOR] {;|c|OFF|ON}
SUF[FIX] {SQL|text}
TAB {OFF|ON}
TERM[OUT] {OFF|ON}
TI[ME] {OFF|ON}
TIMI[NG] {OFF|ON}
TRIM[OUT] {OFF|ON}
TRIMS[POOL] {ON|OFF}
UND[ERLINE] {–|c|ON|OFF}
VER[IFY] {OFF|ON}
WRA[P] {OFF|ON}
SHO[W] [option]
Lists the value of a SQL*Plus system variable. Use one of
the following terms or clauses in place of option:
system_variable
ALL
APPI[NFO]
BTI[TLE]
ERR[ORS] [{FUNCTION|PROCEDURE|PACKAGE
|PACKAGE BODY|TRIGGER|VIEW}
[schema.]name]
LABEL
LNO
PNO
REL[EASE]
REPF[OOTER]
REPH[EADER]
SPOO[L]
SQLCODE
TTI[TLE]
USER
Enter any system variable set by the SET command in place
of system_variable.

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 15

SQL Command List
SQL commands were formerly documented in SQL*Plus
documentation. You should now refer to the Oracle7 Server SQL
Language Reference Manual for full documentation of these commands
and clauses. Below is a list of major SQL commands:

ALTER LOCK TABLE

ANALYZE* NOAUDIT
AUDIT RENAME
COMMENT REVOKE
COMMIT ROLLBACK
CREATE SAVEPOINT
DELETE SELECT
DROP SET ROLE*
EXPLAIN SET TRANSACTION
GRANT TRUNCATE*
INSERT UPDATE
* Requires Oracle7

16 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

Notes

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 17

Notes

18 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

Notes

SQL*Plus Quick Reference 19

Notes

20 SQL*Plus Quick Reference

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Name of Document: SQL*Plus
Quick Reference
Part No. A42561–1

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