SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference

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 personnel director for this company.

The exercises make use of the information in two sample tables:

EMP Contains information about the employees of the sample company.
DEPT Contains information about the departments in the company.

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

Figure 1 - 1. EMP Table

DEPTNO    DNAME         LOC
--------- ------------- -----------
       10 ACCOUNTING    NEW YORK
       20 RESEARCH      DALLAS
       30 SALES         CHICAGO
       40 OPERATIONS    BOSTON

Figure 1 - 2. DEPT Table

*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

EMP	Contains information about the employees of the sample company.
DEPT	Contains information about the departments in the company.