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SQL*Plus commands

The following commands can be issued in SQL*Plus (in addition to the standard SQL commands.)

   @ pathname  Run an SQL Script (see START)
               @MyScript.sql parameter1 parameter2 parameter3 
               In the SQL-Script, refer to the parameters as &1, &2, and &3.

   @@ pathname Run a nested SQL Script.

   /           Execute (or re-execute) commands in the SQL*Plus buffer
               does not list commands before running

   ACCEPT      User input
               ACC[EPT] variable [NUM[BER]|CHAR|DATE] [FORMAT format]
                  [DEFAULT default] [PROMPT text|NOPROMPT] [HIDE]

   APPEND      Add text to the end of the current line in the buffer.
               A[PPEND] text_to_add

   BREAK       Specify where and how formatting will change.
               BREAK ON {column|expr|ROW|REPORT} action

   BTITLE      Place and format a title at the bottom of each page.
               BTITLE printspec [text|variable]
               BTITLE [OFF|ON]

   CHANGE      Change text on the current line.
               C /oldval/newval

   CLEAR       Clear the SQL*Plus screen and the screen buffer.
               CLEAR {BREAKS|BUFFER|COLUMNS|COMPUTES|SCREEN|SQL TIMING}

   COLUMN      Change display width of a column.

   COMPUTE     Calculate and display totals.

   CONNECT     Connect to a database as a specified user.
               connect username/password@SID

   COPY        Copy data from a query into a table (local or remote)

   DEFINE      User variables:
                  DEFINE <varName> = <String>
               Display a user variable
                  DEFINE <varName>
               Display all variables
                  DEFINE

   DEFINE_EDITOR = sql*plus editor (e.g. DEFINE_EDITOR=vim.exe)

   DEL         Delete the current line in the SQL buffer

   DESC[RIBE]  Describe a table, column, view, synonym, function
               procedure, package or package contents.

   DISCONNECT  Logoff (but don't exit)

   EDIT        Load the SQL*Plus buffer into an editor. 
               By default, saves the file to AFIEDT.BUF

   EXECUTE     Run a single PLSQL statement
               EXEC :answer := EMP_PAY.BONUS('SMITH')

   EXIT [n]    Commit, logoff and exit (n = error code)
               EXIT SQL.SQLCODE

   GET file    Retrieve a previously stored command file

   HELP topic  Topic is an SQL PLUS command or HELP COMMANDS

   HOST        Execute a host operating system command
               HOST CD scripts

   INPUT       Edit sql buffer - add line(s) to the buffer

   LIST n m    Edit sql buffer - display buffer lines n to m
               For all lines - specify m as LAST

   PAUSE message   Wait for the user to hit RETURN
   
   PRINT variable  List the value of a bind variable (see VARIABLE / SHOW)

   PROMPT message  Echo a message to the screen   

   REMARK      REMARK comment or --comment--  or /* comment */

   RUN         Execute (or re-execute) commands in the SQL*Plus buffer
               Lists the commands before running

   RUNFORM     Run a SQL*Forms application

   SAVE file   Save the contents of the SQL*Plus buffer in a command file
               SAVE file [CRE[ATE] | REP[LACE] | APP[END]] 

   SET         Display or change SQL*Plus settings

   SHOW        List the value of a system variable (see PRINT)

   SHUTDOWN [ABORT|IMMEDIATE|NORMAL|TRANSACTIONAL]

   SPOOL file  Store query results in file

   SPOOL OFF   Turn off spooling
               SPOOL OUT sends file to printer

   SQLPLUS     Start SQL*Plus and connect to a database.

   STA[RT]     Run an SQL Script (see @)

   STARTUP [NoMOUNT|MOUNT|OPEN]

   TIMING      Record timing data TIMING START | SHOW | STOP
               see CLEAR TIMING

   TTITLE      Define a page title

   UNDEFINE    Delete a user variable or passed parameter (see DEFINE)

   VARIABLE    Define a bind variable
               (Can be used in both SQLPlus and PLSQL)
               VAR[IABLE] [variable {NUMBER|CHAR|CHAR (n)}]
               VARIABLE on its own will display the definitions made.

   WHENEVER OSERROR   Exit if an OS error occurs

   WHENEVER SQLERROR  Exit if an SQL or PLSQL error occurs

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Related:

Dizwell.com - Up-arrow in SQLPlus to retrieve old commands



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Simon Sheppard
SS64.com