Overview

You can use the SQL*Plus tool with SQL (Structured Query Language) and its procedural language extension, PL/SQL. These database languages allow you to store and retrieve data in Oracle databases. PL/SQL allows you to link several SQL commands through procedural logic.

SQL*Plus enables you to manipulate SQL commands and PL/SQL blocks, and to perform many additional tasks. With SQL*Plus, you can:

• Enter, edit, store, retrieve, and run SQL commands and PL/SQL blocks.

• Format, perform calculations on, store, and print query results in the form of reports.

• List column definitions for any table.

• Access and copy data between databases.

• Send messages to and accept responses from an end user.

• Perform database administration.

SQL*Plus on Windows provides both a command line interface and a graphical user interface (GUI). See Chapter 3, "Using SQL*Plus" for more information.

Note: Although Server Manager is shipped with this 8.1.6 release, Oracle Corporation recommends that you migrate to SQL*Plus.