Overview of SQL*Plus
You can use the SQL*Plus program in conjunction with the SQL database language and its procedural language extension, PL/SQL. The SQL database language allows you to store and retrieve data in Oracle. PL/SQL allows you to link several SQL commands through procedural logic.
SQL*Plus enables you to execute SQL commands and PL/SQL blocks, and to perform many additional tasks as well. Through SQL*Plus, you can
- enter, edit, store, retrieve, and run SQL commands and PL/SQL blocks
- format, perform calculations on, store, print and create web output of query results
- list column definitions for any table
- access and copy data between SQL databases
- send messages to and accept responses from an end user
- perform database administration
Basic Concepts
The following definitions explain concepts central to SQL*Plus:
command |
An instruction you give SQL*Plus or Oracle. |
block |
A group of SQL and PL/SQL commands related to one another through procedural logic. |
table |
The basic unit of storage in Oracle. |
query |
A SQL command (specifically, a SQL SELECT command) that retrieves information from one or more tables. |
query results |
The data retrieved by a query. |
report |
Query results formatted by you through SQL*Plus commands. |
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 Oracle.
The design of the SQL*Plus command language makes it easy to use. For example, to give a column labelled ENAME in the database the clearer heading "Employee", you might enter the following command:
COLUMN ENAME HEADING EMPLOYEE
Similarly, to list the column definitions for a table called EMP, you might enter this command:
DESCRIBE EMP
Other Ways of Working with Oracle
Oracle tools help developers to productively and economically build, manage and deploy high-performance and robust enterprise applications for the Oracle Internet Platform.
JDeveloper Suite |
a 3GL development tool for building component based, server-centric applications in Java |
Oracle Enterprise Developer Suite |
an integrated, flexible set of tools for building enterprise-class database applications for client/server and the web |
Oracle Application Server |
a tool enabling database access through web browsers and the Internet |
Oracle Designer |
a set of client/server design tools for database applications |
Oracle Developer |
a set of client/server and web development tools |
Oracle Discoverer |
a set of end-user query tools |
Oracle Programmer |
a set of 3GL programming language interfaces |
Oracle Reports |
a publishing and reporting solution to disseminate dynamic information across corporate intranets or on the Internet |
Oracle Workflow |
a complete workflow management system that supports business process definition and automation |
Oracle Express |
a powerful OnLine Analytical Processing (OLAP) server, tools, and pre-built applications for financial, and sales and marketing analysis |
Oracle Media Objects |
a development tool for object-oriented multimedia applications |
Oracle Mobile Agents |
a tool for applications using mobile and/or detached clients |