1
Introduction to SQL*Plus

This chapter provides introductory information to help you get started with SQL*Plus for Windows NT/95. These topics are covered:

• Overview
• Using SQL*Plus for Windows NT/95

Overview

You can use the SQL*Plus (pronounced "sequel 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 an Oracle database. 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 as well. Through 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 SQL databases
• send messages to and accept responses from end users

SQL*Plus provides a command line interface in addition to the GUI version of SQL*Plus.

As a SQL*Plus user, you have access to the command-line functionality that is available with the character-mode version of SQL*Plus, as well as the convenient menu-based features of a Windows GUI application. For instance, you can select SQL*Plus menu items to perform tasks such as these:

• saving and opening SQL scripts
• copying and pasting text to and from the Windows clipboard and the SQL*Plus application window
• invoking a Windows text editor, such as Notepad
• searching for text in the SQL*Plus application window
• selecting parameters from a dialog box to customize the SQL*Plus environment

New Features

This release of SQL*Plus includes new features. To learn about these new features, see the New Features section in SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference.

Basic Concepts

The following definitions explain concepts central to SQL*Plus:

Concept	Definition
command	An instruction you give SQL*Plus or the Oracle database.
block	A group of SQL and PL/SQL commands related to one another through procedural logic.
table	The basic unit of storage in the Oracle database.
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 databases.

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 

Using SQL*Plus for Windows NT and Windows 95

Oracle has combined the power of its SQL*Plus command language with the graphical environment of Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 95. You can install SQL*Plus regardless of the platform you are using.

As a SQL*Plus for Windows NT or SQL*Plus for Windows 95 user, you have access to the command-line functionality of the character-mode DOS version of SQL*Plus, as well as the menu-based features of a Windows NT and Windows 95 application.

For instance, with the menu-based Windows NT and Windows 95 application you can select SQL*Plus menu items to perform tasks such as these:

• saving and opening SQL scripts
• copying and pasting text to and from the Windows NT and Windows 95 clipboard and the SQL*Plus application window
• invoking a Windows NT and Windows 95 text editor, such as Notepad or Microsoft Word
• searching for text in the SQL*Plus application window
• changing the size of the SQL*Plus screen buffer
• selecting parameters from a dialog box to customize the SQL*Plus environment

Other advantages of using SQL*Plus for Windows NT and Windows 95 include the following:

• SQL*Plus for Windows NT and Windows 95 is a 32-bit Windows NT and Windows 95 application. It is not restricted by Windows 16-bit limitations (such as Cooperative Multitasking).
• a resizable application window with Windows NT and Windows 95 elements, such as scroll bars, minimize and maximize buttons, and the control-menu box
• mouse support

---