SQL*Plus®

Quick Reference
Release 10.2
B14356-01
June 2005

About this Quick Reference

This Quick Reference shows iSQL*Plus buttons and icons, and iSQL*Plus and
SQL*Plus command syntax. For detailed information on each command, refer to
the SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference.
This Quick Reference has the following topics:
Q Documentation Accessibility
Q Alphabetic List of SQL*Plus Commands
Q Starting iSQL*Plus
Q iSQL*Plus Navigation
Q iSQL*Plus Preferences
Q iSQL*Plus Workspace Buttons
Q Starting and Leaving SQL*Plus
Q Starting Up and Shutting Down a Database
Q Entering and Executing Commands
Q Manipulating SQL, SQL*Plus and PL/SQL Commands
Q Formatting Query Results
Q Accessing Databases
Q Miscellaneous

Documentation Accessibility
Our goal is to make Oracle products, services, and supporting documentation
accessible, with good usability, to the disabled community. To that end, our
documentation includes features that make information available to users of
assistive technology. This documentation is available in HTML format, and
contains markup to facilitate access by the disabled community. Accessibility
standards will continue to evolve over time, and Oracle is actively engaged with
other market-leading technology vendors to address technical obstacles so that
our documentation can be accessible to all of our customers. For more
information, visit the Oracle Accessibility Program Web site at
http://www.oracle.com/accessibility/.

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Accessibility of Code Examples in Documentation
Screen readers may not always correctly read the code examples in this
document. The conventions for writing code require that closing braces should
appear on an otherwise empty line; however, some screen readers may not
always read a line of text that consists solely of a bracket or brace.

Accessibility of Links to External Web Sites in Documentation

This documentation may contain links to Web sites of other companies or
organizations that Oracle does not own or control. Oracle neither evaluates nor
makes any representations regarding the accessibility of these Web sites.

TTY Access to Oracle Support Services

Oracle provides dedicated Text Telephone (TTY) access to Oracle Support
Services within the United States of America 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For TTY support, call 800.446.2398.

Alphabetic List of SQL*Plus Commands

@{url | file_name [.ext]} [arg ...]
@@ { url | file_name[.ext] } [arg ...]
/ (slash)
ACC[EPT] variable [NUM[BER] | CHAR | DATE | BINARY_FLOAT | BINARY_DOUBLE] [FOR[MAT]
format] [DEF[AULT] default] [PROMPT text | NOPR[OMPT]] [HIDE]
*A[PPEND] text
ARCHIVE LOG {LIST | STOP} | {START | NEXT | ALL | integer} [TO destination ]
ATTRIBUTE [type_name.attribute_name [option...]]
BRE[AK] [ON report_element [action [action]]] ...
BTI[TLE] [printspec [text | variable] ...] | [ON | OFF]
*C[HANGE] sepchar old [sepchar [new [sepchar]]]
CL[EAR] option ...
COL[UMN] [{column | expr} [option ...]]
COMP[UTE] [function [LAB[EL] text] ... OF {expr | column | alias} ...ON {expr | column | alias |
REPORT | ROW} ...]
CONN[ECT] [{logon | /} [AS {SYSOPER | SYSDBA}]]
COPY {FROM database | TO database | FROM database TO database} {APPEND | CREATE |
INSERT | REPLACE} destination_table[(column, column, column, ...)] USING query
DEF[INE] [variable ] | [variable = text]
*DEL [n | n m | n * | n LAST | * | * n | * LAST | LAST]
DESC[RIBE] {[schema .]object[@connect_identifier]}
DISC[ONNECT]
*ED[IT] [file_name[.ext]]
EXEC[UTE] statement

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{EXIT | QUIT} [SUCCESS | FAILURE | WARNING | n | variable
| :BindVariable] [COMMIT | ROLLBACK]
*GET [FILE] file_name[.ext] [LIST | NOLIST]
HELP | ? [topic]
*HO[ST] [command]
*I[NPUT] [text]
L[IST] [n | n m | n * | n LAST | * | * n | * LAST | LAST]
*PASSW[ORD] [username]
PAU[SE] [text]
PRI[NT] [variable ...]
PRO[MPT] [text]
{QUIT | EXIT} [SUCCESS | FAILURE | WARNING | n | variable
| :BindVariable] [COMMIT | ROLLBACK]
RECOVER {general | managed | BEGIN BACKUP | END BACKUP}
REM[ARK]
REPF[OOTER] [PAGE] [printspec [text | variable ] ...] | [ON | OFF]
REPH[EADER] [PAGE] [printspec [text | variable] ...] | [ON | OFF]
R[UN]
*SAV[E] [FILE] file_name[.ext] [CRE[ATE] | REP[LACE] | APP[END]]
SET system_variable value
SHO[W] [option]
SHUTDOWN [ABORT | IMMEDIATE | NORMAL | TRANSACTIONAL [LOCAL]]
*SPO[OL] [filename[.ext] [CRE[ATE] | REP[LACE] | APP[END]] | OFF | OUT]
STA[RT] { url | file_name[.ext] } [arg ...]
STARTUP options | upgrade_options
*STORE {SET} file_name[.ext] [CRE[ATE] | REP[LACE] | APP[END]]
TIMI[NG] [START text | SHOW | STOP]
TTI[TLE] [printspec [text | variable] ...] | [ON | OFF]
UNDEF[INE] variable ...
VAR[IABLE] [variable [type]]
WHENEVER OSERROR {EXIT [SUCCESS | FAILURE | n | variable | :BindVariable] [COMMIT |
ROLLBACK] | CONTINUE[COMMIT | ROLLBACK | NONE]}
WHENEVER SQLERROR {EXIT [SUCCESS | FAILURE | WARNING | n | variable
| :BindVariable] [COMMIT | ROLLBACK] | CONTINUE [COMMIT | ROLLBACK | NONE]}
XQUERY xquery_statement
*Commands not available in iSQL*Plus.

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Starting iSQL*Plus
Use the following syntax in your web browser's URL field to display iSQL*Plus.
http://machine_name.domain:port/isqlplus[/dynamic?UserOpts]
or to start iSQL*Plus with DBA privileges, use:
http://machine_name.domain/isqlplus/dba[/dynamic?DBAOpts]
where UserOpts has the following syntax:
UserLogin | Script | UserLogin&Script
where DBAOpts has the following syntax:
DBALogin | Script | DBALogin&Script
where UserLogin has the following syntax:
userid=username[/password] [@connect_identifier]
where DBALogin has the following syntax:
userid ={username[/password] [@connect_identifier] | / } AS {SYSDBA | SYSOPER}
and where Script has the following syntax:
script=text[&type={url | text}] [&action={execute | load}] [&variable =value. . .]

Examples
To start iSQL*Plus, enter
http://machine_name.domain:port/isqlplus
To start iSQL*Plus with DBA Privileges, enter
http://machine_name.domain:port/isqlplus/dba

iSQL*Plus Navigation
The table lists navigation icons used to navigate in iSQL*Plus.

Icon Label Purpose

Logout Log out of the iSQL*Plus session, return to the Login screen.

Preferences Open the iSQL*Plus Preferences screen to set interface options,

configure system options or change your password.
Help Open the iSQL*Plus Help in a new browser window.

iSQL*Plus Preferences
The table lists preferences that can be set in iSQL*Plus.

Navigation Path Purpose

Preferences > To change options which affect the iSQL*Plus user
Interface Configuration interface.

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Navigation Path Purpose
Preferences > To change options which affect output formatting,
System Configuration script execution and database administration.
Preferences > To change your Oracle database password.
Change Password

iSQL*Plus Workspace Buttons

The table lists buttons in the iSQL*Plus Workspace, and their purpose.

Button Purpose
Execute To execute the contents of the Workspace.
Load Script To load a script into the Workspace. The script can be local, or
loaded via HTTP or FTP.
Save Script To save the contents of the Workspace to a local file.
Cancel To interrupt a script during execution.
Next Page To view the next page of results.
Clear To clear the script input and output areas.

Starting and Leaving SQL*Plus

Use the following commands to log in to and out of SQL*Plus.
SQLPLUS [[option] [logon] [start]]
where option has the following syntax:
-H[ELP]
| -V[ERSION]
| [ [-C[OMPATIBILITY] x.y[.z]] [-L[OGON]]
[-M[ARKUP] "mark_options"] [-R[ESTRICT] {1 | 2 | 3}] [-S[ILENT]] ]
where mark_options has the following syntax:
HTML [ON | OFF] [HEAD text] [BODY text] [TABLE text]
[ENTMAP {ON | OFF}] [SPOOL {ON | OFF}] [PRE[FORMAT] {ON | OFF}]
where logon has the following syntax:
{username[/password] [@connect_identifier] | /} [AS {SYSOPER | SYSDBA}]
| /NOLOG
and where start has the following syntax:
@{url | file_name [.ext]} [arg ...]

{EXIT | QUIT} [SUCCESS | FAILURE | WARNING | n | variable

| :BindVariable] [COMMIT | ROLLBACK]
Commits or rolls back all pending changes, logs out of Oracle, terminates
SQL*Plus and returns control to the operating system.

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In iSQL*Plus, commits or rolls back all pending changes, stops processing the
current iSQL*Plus script and returns focus to the Workspace. In iSQL*Plus, click
the Logout button to log out of Oracle.

Starting Up and Shutting Down a Database

Starting up and shutting down a database requires DBA privileges.
STARTUP options | upgrade_options
where options has the following syntax:
[FORCE] [RESTRICT] [PFILE= filename] [QUIET] [ MOUNT [dbname] |
[ OPEN [open_options] [dbname] ] | NOMOUNT ]
where open_options has the following syntax:
READ {ONLY | WRITE [RECOVER]} | RECOVER
and where upgrade_options has the following syntax:
[PFILE=filename] {UPGRADE | DOWNGRADE} [QUIET]
Starts an Oracle instance with several options, including mounting and opening
a database.

SHUTDOWN [ABORT | IMMEDIATE | NORMAL | TRANSACTIONAL [LOCAL]]

Shuts down a currently running Oracle instance, optionally closing and
dismounting a database.

Entering and Executing Commands

Use the following commands to execute and collect timing statistics on SQL commands and
PL/SQL blocks.
/ (slash)
Executes the most recently executed SQL command or PL/SQL block which is
stored in the SQL buffer. Does not list the command. Use slash (/) at the
command prompt or line number prompt in SQL*Plus command line, or use
slash (/) in the iSQL*Plus Workspace. The buffer has no command history and
does not record SQL*Plus commands.

EXEC[UTE] statement
Executes a single PL/SQL statement or runs a stored procedure.

R[UN]
Lists and executes the most recently executed SQL command or PL/SQL block
which is stored in the SQL buffer. The buffer has no command history and does
not record SQL*Plus commands.

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.

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Use the following command to access the help system.
HELP | ? [topic]
Accesses the command-line help system. Enter HELP INDEX or ? INDEX for a
list of topics. In iSQL*Plus, you can also click the Help button to display
iSQL*Plus online help. You can view SQL*Plus resources at
http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/sql_plus/ and the Oracle
Database Library at
http://www.oracle.com/technology/documentation.

Use the following command to execute operating system commands.

HO[ST] [command]
Executes an operating system command without leaving SQL*Plus. Enter HOST
without command to display an operating system prompt. You can then enter
multiple operating system commands.
With some operating systems, you can use another character instead of HOST
such as "!" (UNIX) and "$" (Windows). See the Oracle installation and user's
manuals provided for your operating system for details.
HOST is not available in iSQL*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. To append text
that ends with a semicolon, end the command with two semicolons (a single
semicolon is interpreted as a command terminator).
APPEND is not available in iSQL*Plus.

C[HANGE] sepchar old [sepchar [new [sepchar]]]

Changes first occurrence of old on the current line of 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. The buffer has no command
history list and does not record SQL*Plus commands.
CHANGE is not available in iSQL*Plus.
DEL [n | n m | n * | n LAST | * | * n | * LAST | LAST]
Deletes one or more lines of the SQL 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 the buffer. The buffer has
no command history list and does not record SQL*Plus commands.
DEL is not available in iSQL*Plus.

I[NPUT] [text]
Adds one or more new lines of text after the current line in the SQL buffer. The
buffer has no command history list and does not record SQL*Plus commands.

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INPUT is not available in iSQL*Plus.

L[IST] [n | n m | n * | n LAST | * | * n | * LAST | LAST]

Lists one or more lines of the most recently executed SQL command or PL/SQL
block which is stored in the SQL buffer. Asterisk (*) 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. The buffer has no command history
list and does not record SQL*Plus commands.

Use the following commands to run scripts.

@ { url | file_name [.ext] } [arg ...]

Runs the SQL*Plus statements in the specified script. The script can be called
from the local file system or a web server. You can pass values to script variables
in the usual way.
Only the url form is supported in iSQL*Plus.
@@ { url | file_name[.ext] } [arg ...]
Runs the SQL*Plus statements in the specified script. This command is almost
identical to the @ command. It is useful for running nested scripts because it has
the additional functionality of looking for the specified script in the same path or
url as the calling script.
Only the url form is supported in iSQL*Plus.

STA[RT] { url | file_name[.ext] } [arg ...]

Runs the SQL*Plus statements in the specified script. The script can be called
from the local file system or a web server. You can pass values to script variables
in the usual way.
Only the url form is supported in iSQL*Plus.

Use the following commands to create and modify scripts.

ED[IT] [file_name[.ext]]
Invokes an 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. The
buffer has no command history list and does not record SQL*Plus commands.
EDIT is not available in iSQL*Plus.

GET file_name[.ext] [LIST | NOLIST]

Loads a SQL statement or PL/SQL block from a file into the SQL buffer. In
iSQL*Plus click the Load Script button to load a script into the Workspace. The
buffer has no command history list and does not record SQL*Plus commands.
GET is not available in iSQL*Plus.

REM[ARK]
Begins a comment in a script. The REMARK command must appear at the
beginning of a line, and the comment ends at the end of the line (a line cannot

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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 the contents of the SQL buffer in a file. In iSQL*Plus, click the Save Script
button to save the Workspace contents to a script. The buffer has no command
history list and does not record SQL*Plus commands.
SAVE is not available in iSQL*Plus.

STORE {SET} file_name[.ext] [CRE[ATE] | REP[LACE] | APP[END]]

Saves attributes of the current SQL*Plus environment in a file.
STORE is not available in iSQL*Plus.

WHENEVER OSERROR {EXIT [SUCCESS | FAILURE | n | variable

| :BindVariable] [COMMIT | ROLLBACK] | CONTINUE [COMMIT | ROLLBACK | NONE]}
Performs the specified action (exits SQL*Plus by default) if an operating system
error occurs (such as a file writing error).
In iSQL*Plus, performs the specified action (stops the current script by default)
and returns focus to the Workspace if an operating system error occurs.
WHENEVER SQLERROR {EXIT [SUCCESS | FAILURE | WARNING | n | variable
| :BindVariable] [COMMIT | ROLLBACK] | CONTINUE [COMMIT | ROLLBACK | NONE]}
Performs the specified action (exits SQL*Plus by default) if a SQL command or
PL/SQL block generates an error.
In iSQL*Plus, performs the specified action (stops the current script by default)
and returns focus to the Workspace 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 | BINARY_FLOAT | BINARY_DOUBLE] [FOR[MAT]

format] [DEF[AULT] default] [PROMPT text | NOPR[OMPT]] [HIDE]
Reads a line of input and stores it in a given substitution variable. In iSQL*Plus,
displays the Input Required screen for you to enter a value for the substitution
variable.

DEF[INE] [variable ] | [variable = text]

Specifies a substitution variable and assigns a CHAR value to it, or lists the value
and variable type of a single variable or all variables.

PAU[SE] [text]
Displays the specified text then waits for the user to press RETURN. In
iSQL*Plus, displays the Next Page button which the user must click to continue.

PRO[MPT] [text]
Sends the specified message or a blank line to the user's screen.

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UNDEF[INE] variable ...
Deletes one or more substitution variables that you defined either explicitly (with
the DEFINE command) or implicitly (with a START command argument).

Use the following commands to create and display bind variables.

PRI[NT] [variable ...]

Displays the current values of bind variables, or lists all bind variables.

VAR[IABLE] [variable [type]]

where type represents one of the following:
NUMBER
CHAR
CHAR (n [CHAR | BYTE])
NCHAR
NCHAR (n)
VARCHAR2 (n [CHAR | BYTE])
NVARCHAR2 (n)
CLOB
NCLOB
REFCURSOR
BINARY_FLOAT
BINARY_DOUBLE
Declares a bind variable that can be referenced in PL/SQL, or lists the current
display characteristics for a single variable or all variables.

Use the following symbols to create substitution variables and parameters for use in scripts.

&n
Specifies a parameter in a script you run using the START command. START
substitutes values you list after the script name as follows: the first for &1, the
second for &2, and so on.

&user_variable, &&user_variable
Indicates a substitution variable in a SQL or SQL*Plus command. SQL*Plus
substitutes the value of the specified substitution variable for each substitution
variable it encounters. If the substitution 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.

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Formatting Query Results
Use the following commands to format, store and print your query results.

ATTRIBUTE [type_name.attribute_name [option...]]

Specifies display characteristics for a given attribute of an Object Type column,
such as the format of NUMBER data. Columns and attributes should not have
the same names as they share a common namespace. Lists the current display
characteristics for a single attribute or for all attributes.
Where option represents one of the following clauses:
ALI[AS] alias
CLE[AR]
FOR[MAT] format
LIKE {type_name.attribute_name|alias}
ON|OFF

BRE[AK] [ON report_element [action [action]]] ...

Specifies where changes occur in a report and the formatting action to perform,
such as:
Q suppressing the display of duplicate values for a given column
Q skipping a line each time a given column value changes (in iSQL*Plus, only
when Preformatted Output is ON)
Q printing computed figures each time a given column value changes or at the
end of the report
Enter BREAK with no clauses to list the current BREAK definition.
Where report_element has the following syntax:
{column | expr | ROW | REPORT}
and where action has the following syntax:
[SKI[P] n | [SKI[P]] PAGE] [NODUP[LICATES] | DUP[LICATES]]
The SKIP option is not available in iSQL*Plus.

BTI[TLE] [printspec [text | variable] ...] | [ON | OFF]

Places and formats a title at the bottom of each report page, or lists the current
BTITLE definition. Use one of the following clauses in place of printspec:
BOLD
CE[NTER]
COL n
FORMAT text
LE[FT]
R[IGHT]
S[KIP] [n]
TAB n

CL[EAR] option ...

Resets or erases the current value or setting for the specified option.

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Where option represents one of the following clauses:
BRE[AKS]
BUFF[ER]
COL[UMNS]
COMP[UTES]
SCR[EEN]
SQL
TIMI[NG]
CLEAR SCREEN is not available in iSQL*Plus.

COL[UMN] [{column | expr} [option ...]]

Specifies display attributes for a given column, such as:
Q text for the column heading
Q alignment for the column heading
Q format for NUMBER data
Q wrapping of column data
Also lists the current display attributes for a single column or all columns.
Where option represents one of the following clauses:
ALI[AS] alias
CLE[AR]
ENTMAP {ON | OFF}
FOLD_A[FTER]
FOLD_B[EFORE]
FOR[MAT] format
HEA[DING] text
JUS[TIFY] {L[EFT] | C[ENTER] | 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 [{column |expr} FORMAT format] where the format element
specifies the display format for the column.
To change the display format of a NUMBER column, use FORMAT followed by
one of the elements in the following table:

Element Examples Description

, (comma) 9,999 Displays a comma in the specified position.
. (period) 99.99 Displays a period (decimal point) to separate the
integral and fractional parts of a number.
$ $9999 Displays a leading dollar sign.
0 0999 Displays leading zeros
9990 Displays trailing zeros.

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Element Examples Description
9 9999 Displays a value with the number of digits specified by
the number of 9s. Value has a leading space if positive,
a leading minus sign if negative. Blanks are displayed
for leading zeroes. A zero (0) is displayed for a value of
zero.
B B9999 Displays blanks for the integer part of a fixed-point
number when the integer part is zero, regardless of
zeros in the format model.
C C999 Displays the ISO currency symbol in the specified
position.
D 99D99 Displays the decimal character to separate the integral
and fractional parts of a number.
EEEE 9.999EEEE Displays value in scientific notation (format must
contain exactly four "E"s).
G 9G999 Displays the group separator in the specified positions
in the integral part of a number.
L L999 Displays the local currency symbol in the specified
position.
MI 9999MI Displays a trailing minus sign after a negative value.
Display a trailing space after a positive value.
PR 9999PR Displays a negative value in <angle brackets>.
Displays a positive value with a leading and trailing
space.
RN RN Displays uppercase Roman numerals.
rn rn Displays lowercase Roman numerals.
Value can be an integer between 1 and 3999.
S S9999 Displays a leading minus or plus sign.
9999S Displays a trailing minus or plus sign.

TM TM Displays the smallest number of decimal characters

possible. The default is TM9. Fixed notation is used for
output up to 64 characters, scientific notation for more
than 64 characters. Cannot precede TM with any other
element. TM can only be followed by a single 9 or E
U U9999 Displays the dual currency symbol in the specified
position.

COMP[UTE] [function [LAB[EL] text] ... OF {expr | column | alias} ...ON {expr | column | alias |
REPORT | ROW} ...]
In combination with the BREAK command, calculates and prints summary lines
using various standard computations. It also lists all COMPUTE definitions. The
following table lists valid functions. All functions except NUMBER apply to
non-null values only. COMPUTE functions are always executed in the following
sequence AVG, COUNT, MINIMUM, MAXIMUM, NUMBER, SUM, STD,
VARIANCE.

Function Computes Applies to Datatypes

AVG Average of non-null values NUMBER

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Function Computes Applies to Datatypes
COU[NT] Count of non-null values All types

MIN[IMUM] Minimum value NUMBER, CHAR, NCHAR,

VARCHAR2 (VARCHAR),
NVARCHAR2 (NCHAR VARYING)

MAX[IMUM] Maximum value NUMBER, CHAR, NCHAR,

VARCHAR2 (VARCHAR),
NVARCHAR2 (NCHAR VARYING)

NUM[BER] Count of rows All types

SUM Sum of non-null values NUMBER

STD Standard deviation of NUMBER

non-null values
VAR[IANCE] Variance of non-null values NUMBER

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

Places and formats a footer at the bottom of a report, or lists the current
REPFOOTER definition.
Where printspec represents one or more of the following clauses:
BOLD
CE[NTER]
COL n
FORMAT text
LE[FT]
R[IGHT]
S[KIP] [n]
TAB n

REPH[EADER] [PAGE] [printspec [text | variable] ...] | [ON | OFF]

Places and formats a header at the top of a report, or lists the current
REPHEADER definition.
Where printspec represents one or more of the clauses shown for REPFOOTER.

SPO[OL] [filename[.ext] [CRE[ATE] | REP[LACE] | APP[END]] | OFF | OUT]

Stores query results in a file, or optionally sends the file to a printer. OFF stops
spooling. OUT stops spooling and sends the file to your computer's default
printer. Enter SPOOL with no clauses to list the current spooling status. If no file
extension is given, the default extension, .lst or .lis, is used. In iSQL*Plus, use the
Preferences screen to direct output to a file.
SPOOL is not available in iSQL*Plus.

TTI[TLE] [printspec [text | variable] ...] | [ON | OFF]

Places and formats a specified title at the top of each report page, or lists the
current TTITLE definition. The old form of TTITLE is used if only a single word
or a string in quotes follows the TTITLE command.
Where printspec represents one or more of the following clauses:

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BOLD
CE[NTER]
COL n
FORMAT text
LE[FT]
R[IGHT]
S[KIP] [n]
TAB n

Accessing Databases
Use the following commands to access and copy data between tables on different databases.

CONN[ECT] [{logon | /} [AS {SYSOPER | SYSDBA}]]

where logon requires the following syntax:
username[/password] [@connect_identifier]
Connects a given username to the Oracle Database. If you omit connect_identifier,
SQL*Plus connects you to the default database. If you omit username and/or
password, SQL*Plus prompts you for them. CONNECT followed by a slash (/)
connects you using a default (OPS$) logon.
When you run a CONNECT command, the site profile, glogin.sql, and the user
profile, login.sql, are processed in that order. CONNECT does not reprompt for
username or password if the initial connection does not succeed.

DISC[ONNECT]
Commits pending changes to the database and logs the current user out of
Oracle, but does not exit SQL*Plus. In SQL*Plus command line, use EXIT or
QUIT to log out of Oracle and return control to your computer's operating
system. In iSQL*Plus, click the Logout button to log out of Oracle.

COPY {FROM database | TO database | FROM database TO database} {APPEND | CREATE |

INSERT | REPLACE} destination_table[(column, column, column, ...)] USING query
where database has the following syntax:
username[/password]@connect_identifier
Copies data from a query to a table in the same or another database. 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. COPY supports
CHAR, DATE, LONG, NUMBER and VARCHAR2 datatypes.

PASSW[ORD] [username]
Allows you to change a password without displaying it on an input device. In
iSQL*Plus, you can also use the Password screen to change your password.

XQUERY xquery_statement
Allows you to run an XQuery from SQL*Plus.

15
Miscellaneous
ARCHIVE LOG {LIST | STOP} | {START | NEXT | ALL | integer}[TO destination]
Starts or stops automatic archiving of online redo logs, manually (explicitly)
archives specified redo logs, or displays information about redo log files.

DESC[RIBE] {[schema .]object[@connect_identifier]}

Lists the column definitions for a table, view or synonym, or the specifications
for a function or procedure.

RECOVER {general | managed | BEGIN BACKUP | END BACKUP}

where the general clause has the following syntax:
[AUTOMATIC] [FROM location]
{ {full_database_recovery | partial_database_recovery | LOGFILE filename}
[ {TEST | ALLOW integer CORRUPTION | parallel_clause }
[TEST |ALLOW integer CORRUPTION | parallel_clause ]...]|CONTINUE
[DEFAULT] | CANCEL}
where the full_database_recovery clause has the following syntax:
[STANDBY] DATABASE [ {UNTIL {CANCEL | TIME date | CHANGE integer}
| USING BACKUP CONTROLFILE} [UNTIL {CANCEL
| TIME date | CHANGE integer} | USING BACKUP CONTROLFILE]...]
where the partial_database_recovery clause has the following syntax:
{TABLESPACE tablespace [, tablespace]...
| DATAFILE {filename | filenumber} [, filename | filenumber]...
| STANDBY {TABLESPACE tablespace [, tablespace ]...
| DATAFILE {filename | filenumber} [, filename | filenumber]...}
UNTIL [CONSISTENT WITH] CONTROLFILE }
where the parallel clause has the following syntax:
{ NOPARALLEL | PARALLEL [ integer ] }
where the managed clause has the following syntax:
MANAGED STANDBY DATABASE recover_clause | cancel_clause | finish_clause
where the recover_clause has the following syntax:
{ { DISCONNECT [ FROM SESSION ] | { TIMEOUT integer | NOTIMEOUT } }
| { NODELAY | DEFAULT DELAY | DELAY integer } | NEXT integer
| { EXPIRE integer | NO EXPIRE } | parallel_clause
| USING CURRENT LOGFILE | UNTIL CHANGE integer
| THROUGH { [ THREAD integer ] SEQUENCE integer
| ALL ARCHIVELOG | { ALL | LAST | NEXT } SWITCHOVER} }
[ DISCONNECT [ FROM SESSION ] | { TIMEOUT integer | NOTIMEOUT }
| { NODELAY | DEFAULT DELAY | DELAY integer } | NEXT integer
| { EXPIRE integer | NO EXPIRE } | parallel_clause
| USING CURRENT LOGFILE | UNTIL CHANGE integer
| THROUGH { [ THREAD integer ] SEQUENCE integer
| ALL ARCHIVELOG | { ALL | LAST | NEXT } SWITCHOVER} ]...
where the cancel_clause has the following syntax:

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CANCEL [IMMEDIATE] [WAIT | NOWAIT]
where the finish_clause has the following syntax:
[ DISCONNECT [ FROM SESSION ] ] [ parallel_clause ]
FINISH [ SKIP [ STANDBY LOGFILE ] ] [ WAIT | NOWAIT ]
where the parallel_clause has the following syntax:
{ NOPARALLEL | PARALLEL [ integer ] }
Performs media recovery on one or more tablespaces, one or more datafiles, or
the entire database.
Because of possible network timeouts, it is recommended that you use SQL*Plus
command-line, not iSQL*Plus, for long running DBA operations such as
RECOVER.

SET system_variable value

Sets a system variable to alter the SQL*Plus environment settings for your
current session. For example, to:
Q set the display width for data
Q customize HTML formatting
Q enable or disable printing of column headings
Q set the number of lines per page
In iSQL*Plus, you can also use the Preferences screen to set system variables.
Enter a system variable followed by a value as shown below:
SET APPI[NFO]{ON | OFF | text}
SET ARRAY[SIZE] {15 | n}
SET AUTO[COMMIT] {ON | OFF | IMM[EDIATE] | n}
SET AUTOP[RINT] {ON | OFF}
SET AUTORECOVERY {ON | OFF]
SET AUTOT[RACE] {ON | OFF | TRACE[ONLY]} [EXP[LAIN]] [STAT[ISTICS]]
SET BLO[CKTERMINATOR] {. | c | ON | OFF}
SET CMDS[EP] {; | c | ON | OFF}
SET COLSEP {_ | text}
SET CON[CAT] {. | c | ON | OFF}
SET COPYC[OMMIT] {0 | n}
SET COPYTYPECHECK {ON | OFF}
SET DEF[INE] {& | c | ON | OFF}
SET DESCRIBE [DEPTH {1 | n | ALL}] [LINENUM {ON | OFF}] [INDENT {ON | OFF}]
SET ECHO {ON | OFF}
*SET EDITF[ILE] file_name[.ext]
SET EMB[EDDED] {ON | OFF}
SET ESC[APE] {\ | c | ON | OFF}
SET FEED[BACK] {6 | n | ON | OFF}
SET FLAGGER {OFF | ENTRY | INTERMED[IATE] | FULL}
*SET FLU[SH] {ON | OFF}
SET HEA[DING] {ON | OFF}
SET HEADS[EP] { | | c | ON | OFF}
SET INSTANCE [instance_path | LOCAL]
SET LIN[ESIZE] {80 | n} (default is 150 in iSQL*Plus)
SET LOBOF[FSET] {n | 1}

17
SET LOGSOURCE [pathname]
SET LONG {80 | n}
SET LONGC[HUNKSIZE] {80 | n}
SET MARK[UP] HTML [ON | OFF] [HEAD text] [BODY text] [TABLE text]
[ENTMAP {ON | OFF}] [SPOOL {ON | OFF}] [PRE[FORMAT] {ON | OFF}]
SET NEWP[AGE] {1 | n | NONE}
SET NULL text
SET NUMF[ORMAT] format
SET NUM[WIDTH] {10 | n}
SET PAGES[IZE] {14 | n}
SET PAU[SE] {ON | OFF | text}
SET RECSEP {WR[APPED] | EA[CH] | OFF}
SET RECSEPCHAR { | c}
SET SERVEROUT[PUT] {ON | OFF} [SIZE {n | UNL[IMITED]}] [FOR[MAT] {WRA[PPED]
| WOR[D_WRAPPED] | TRU[NCATED]}]
*SET SHIFT[INOUT] {VIS[IBLE] | INV[ISIBLE]}
*SET SHOW[MODE] {ON | OFF}
*SET SQLBL[ANKLINES] {ON | OFF}
SET SQLC[ASE] {MIX[ED] | LO[WER] | UP[PER]}
*SET SQLCO[NTINUE] {> | text}
*SET SQLN[UMBER] {ON | OFF}
SET SQLPLUSCOMPAT[IBILITY] {x.y[.z]}
*SET SQLPRE[FIX] {# | c}
*SET SQLP[ROMPT] {SQL> | text}
SET SQLT[ERMINATOR] {; | c | ON | OFF}
*SET SUF[FIX] {SQL | text}
*SET TAB {ON | OFF}
*SET TERM[OUT] {ON | OFF}
*SET TI[ME] {ON | OFF}
SET TIMI[NG] {ON | OFF}
*SET TRIM[OUT] {ON | OFF}
*SET TRIMS[POOL] {ON | OFF}
SET UND[ERLINE] {- | c | ON | OFF}
SET VER[IFY] {ON | OFF}
SET WRA[P] {ON | OFF}
SET XQUERY BASEURI {text}
SET XQUERY ORDERING {UNORDERED | ORDERED | DEFAULT}
SET XQUERY NODE {BYVALUE | BYREFERENCE | DEFAULT}
SET XQUERY CONTEXT {text}
An asterisk (*) indicates the SET option is not supported in iSQL*Plus.

SHO[W] [option]
Shows the value of a SQL*Plus system variable, or the current SQL*Plus
environment. Enter any system variable set by the SET command in place of
system_variable. SHOW SGA requires a DBA privileged login. Use one of the
following terms or clauses in place of option:
system_variable
ALL
BTI[TLE]
ERR[ORS] [ {FUNCTION | PROCEDURE | PACKAGE | PACKAGE BODY |
TRIGGER | VIEW | TYPE | TYPE BODY | DIMENSION | JAVA CLASS}
[schema.]name]

18
LNO
PARAMETERS [parameter_name]
PNO
RECYC[LEBIN] [original_name]
REL[EASE]
REPF[OOTER]
REPH[EADER]
SGA
SPOO[L] (Not available in iSQL*Plus)
SQLCODE
TTI[TLE]
USER
XQUERY

SQL*Plus Quick Reference, Release 10.2

B14356-01
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