Starting SQL*Plus

To begin using SQL*Plus, you must first understand how to start and leave SQL*Plus.

Example 2-1 Starting SQL*Plus

This example shows you how to start SQL*Plus. Follow the steps shown.

1. Make sure that SQL*Plus has been installed on your computer.

2. Turn on your computer (if it is off) and log on to the host operating system (if required). If you are already using your computer, you need not log off or reset it. Simply exit from the program you are using (if any).

   You should see one or more characters at the left side of the screen. This is the operating system's command prompt, which signals that the operating system is ready to accept a command. In this guide the operating system's prompt will be represented by a dollar sign ($). Your computer's operating system prompt may be different.

3. Enter the command SQLPLUS and press Return. This is an operating system command that starts SQL*Plus.

   Note: Some operating systems expect you to enter commands in lowercase letters. If your system expects lowercase, enter the SQLPLUS command in lowercase.

   
   SQLPLUS

   SQL*Plus displays its version number, the current date, and copyright information, and prompts you for your username (the text displayed on your system may differ slightly):

   
   SQL*Plus: Release 9.0.1.0.0 - Production on Thu June 14 16:29:01 2001
   (c) Copyright 1996, 2001 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.
   Enter user-name:

4. Enter your username and press Return. SQL*Plus displays the prompt "Enter password:".

5. Enter your password and press Return again. For your protection, your password does not appear on the screen.

   The process of entering your username and password is called logging in. SQL*Plus displays the version of Oracle to which you connected and the versions of available tools such as PL/SQL.

   Next, SQL*Plus displays the SQL*Plus command prompt:

   SQL>
   

   The command prompt indicates that SQL*Plus is ready to accept your commands. Throughout this guide, where you see the keyboard icon in the margin, it is prompting you to enter information at the command prompt line. Where you see the computer screen icon in the margin, it is showing you what you should expect to see displayed on your screen.If SQL*Plus does not start, you should see a message to help you correct the problem.

Shortcuts to Starting SQL*Plus

When you start SQL*Plus, you can enter your username and password, separated by a slash (/), following the command SQLPLUS. For example, if your username is HR and your password is HR, you can enter

SQLPLUS HR/HR

and press Return. You can also arrange to log in to SQL*Plus automatically when you log on to your host operating system. See the Oracle installation and user's guide provided for your operating system for details.