SQL *PLUS FORMATTING COMMANDS

SQL PLUS is most commonly used for simple queries and printed reports. Getting SQLPLUS to format information in reports according to your taste and needs requires only a handful of commands, or keywords that instruct SQL PLUS about how to behave. They are listed in table below.

SQL *PLUS Formatting Commands

Command	Definition
remark	Tells SQLPLUS that the words to follow are to be treated as comments, not instructions.
set headsep	The heading separatpr identifies the single character that tells SQLPLUS to split a title onto two or more lines.
ttitle	Sets the top title for each page of a report.
btitle	Sets the bottom title for each page of a report.
column	Gives SQLPLUS a variety of instructions on the heading, format and treatment of a column.
break on	Tells SQLPLUS where to put spaces between sections of a report or where to break for subtotals and totals.
set linesize	Sets the maximum number of characters allowed on any line of the report.
set pagesize	Sets the maximum number of lines per page.
set newpage	Sets the number of blank lines between pages.
spool	Moves a report you would normally see displayed on the screen into a file, so you can print it.
/**/	Marks the beginning and end of a comment within a SQL entry. Similar to remark.
--	Marks the beginning of an inline comment within a SQL entry. Treats everything from the mark to the end of the line as a comment. Similar to remark.
set pause	Makes screen display stop between pages of display.
save	Saves the SQL query you are creating into the file of your choice.
host	Sends any command to the host operating system.
start	Tells SQLPLUS to follow (execute) the instructions you are saved in a file.
edit	Pops you out of SQLPLUS and into an editor of your choice.
define_editor	Tells SQLPLUS the name of the editor of your choice.

 

SQL V/s SQL *PLUS

SQL	SQL*PLUS
SQL is a language for communicating with the Oracle Server to access data.	SQL *PLUS recognizes SQL statements and sends them to the server
SQL is based on American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard SQL	SQL *PLUS is the Oracle proprietory interface for executing SQL statements
SQL manipulates data and table definitions in the database	SQL *PLUS does not allow m anipulation of values in the database
SQL is entered into the SQL buffer on one or more lines	SQL *PLUS is entered one line at a time, not stored *in the SQL buffer
SQL does not have a continuation character	SQL *PLUS uses a dash as a continuation character if the command is longer than one line
It cannot be abbreviated	It can be abbreviated
SQL uses a termination character to execute commands immediately	SQL *PLUS does not require termination characters executes commands immediately
SQL uses functions to perform some formatting	SQL *PLUS uses commands to format data