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SQL*Plus is the most basic Oracle Database utility, with a basic command-line interface, commonly used by users, administrators, and programmers.

Command types

SQL*Plus understands five categories of text:

1. SQL statements
2. PL/SQL blocks
3. SQL*Plus internal commands, for example:
   • environment control commands such as SET
   • environment monitoring commands such as SHOW
4. Comments
5. External commands prefixed by the ! char

Scripts can include all of these components.

An Oracle programmer in the appropriately configured software environment can launch SQL*Plus, for example, by entering:

$ sqlplus scott/tiger

where the Oracle user scott has the password tiger. SQL*Plus then presents a prompt with the default form of:

SQL>

Interactive use can then start by entering a SQL statement (terminated by a semicolon), a PL/SQL block, or another command. For example:

SQL> select 'Hello world' as example from dual;

EXAMPLE
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Hello world

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