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Q Format, perform calculations on, store, and print from query results
Q Examine table and object definitions
Q Develop and run batch scripts
Q Perform database administration
You can use SQL*Plus to generate reports interactively, to generate reports as batch
processes, and to output the results to text file, to screen, or to HTML file for browsing
on the Internet. You can generate reports dynamically using the HTML output facility
of SQL*Plus.
Who Can Use SQL*Plus
The SQL*Plus, SQL, and PL/SQL command languages are powerful enough to serve
the needs of users with some database experience, yet straightforward enough for new
users who are just learning to work with the Oracle Database.
The SQL*Plus language is easy to use. For example, to rename a column labelled
LAST_NAME with the heading "Family Name", enter the command:
COLUMN LAST_NAME HEADING 'Family Name'
Similarly, to list column definitions for the EMPLOYEES table, enter the command:
DESCRIBE EMPLOYEES
How Can I Learn SQL*Plus
There are several sources available to assist you to learn SQL*Plus:
Q Part II of this Guide, Using SQL*Plus
Q Help for SQL*Plus, Command-line help
Q Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals
An instructor-led course run by Oracle. This is a comprehensive hands-on course
taking the student through all aspects of using SQL*Plus to access Oracle
Database.
Q More Oracle Database 11g Training
To find more useful Oracle courses, go to
http://www.oracle.com/education.
How to Use the SQL*Plus Guide
This guide provides information about SQL*Plus that applies to all operating systems.
It also includes some Windows and UNIX specific information, for example, the
Windows Graphical User Interface. Some aspects of SQL*Plus differ on each operating
system. Such operating system specific details are covered in the Oracle Database
Installation Guide provided for your system. Use these operating system specific
guides in conjunction with this 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. The tables are described in
"Sample Schemas and SQL*Plus" on page xxiii.
SQL*Plus Command-line Architecture
SQL*Plus command-line uses a two-tier model comprising:
Q Client (command-line user interface).