What You Need to Run SQL*Plus

To run SQL*Plus, you need hardware, software, operating system specific information, a username and password, and access to one or more tables.

Hardware and Software

Oracle and SQL*Plus can run on many different kinds of computers. Your computer's operating system manages the computer's resources and mediates between the computer hardware and programs such as SQL*Plus. Different computers use different operating systems. For information about your computer's operating system, see the documentation provided with the computer.

Before you can begin using SQL*Plus, both Oracle and SQL*Plus must be installed on your computer.

If you have multiple users on your computer, your organization should have a Database Administrator (called a DBA) who supervises the use of Oracle.

The DBA is responsible for installing Oracle and SQL*Plus on your system. If you are acting as a DBA, see the instructions for installing Oracle and SQL*Plus in the Oracle installation and user's guide provided for your operating system.

Information Specific to Your Operating System

A few aspects of Oracle and SQL*Plus differ from one type of host computer and operating system to another. These topics are discussed in the Oracle installation and user's guide, published in a separate version for each host computer and operating system that SQL*Plus supports.

Keep a copy of your Oracle installation and user's guide available for reference.

Username and Password

When you start SQL*Plus, you will need a username that identifies you as an authorized Oracle user and a password that proves you are the legitimate owner of your username. Default logins are created and displayed in messages during Oracle9i installation. The default login username/password combinations created are:

• SYS/CHANGE_ON_INSTALL

• SYSTEM/MANAGER

• HR/<YOUR_SECRET_PASSWORD>

Default passwords should be changed as soon as possible. See the PASSWORD command in Chapter 8 for details on how to change your password.

For further information about the default logins, see the Oracle9i Administrator's Guide.

Multi-User Systems

Each user must have a username and password to access the operating system. These may or may not be the same ones you use with SQL*Plus.

Single-User Systems

If only one person at a time uses your computer, you may be expected to perform the functions of a DBA for yourself. If you want to define your own username and password, see the Oracle9i SQL Reference.

Access to Sample Tables

The Human Resources (HR) Sample Schema is installed as part of the default Oracle9i installation. The HR user is locked by default.

To use the HR sample schema, you need to unlock the HR tables and user. To unlock the HR tables and user, log in to SQL*Plus as the SYSTEM user and enter the following command:

ALTER USER HR IDENTIFIED BY HR ACCOUNT UNLOCK;

For further information about unlocking the HR/HR tables and login, see the Oracle9i Sample Schemas guide. The HR/HR user is primarily to enable you to access the HR sample schema and is necessary to enable you to run the examples in this guide.

Each table in the database is "owned" by a particular user. You may wish to have your own copies of the sample tables to use as you try the examples in this guide. To get your own copies of the HR tables, see your DBA or see the Oracle9i Sample Schemas guide, or you can create the HR tables with the script HR_MAIN.SQL which is located in the following subdirectory:

$ORACLE_HOME/DEMO/SCHEMA/HUMAN_RESOURCES/HR_MAIN.SQL

When you have no further use for the sample tables, remove them by running another Oracle supplied command file named HR_DROP.SQL. For instructions on how to run these files, see the Oracle installation and users guide provided for your operating system, and the Oracle9i Sample Schemas guide.