Sql*Plus User’s Guide and Reference

2-8
SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference

---

3
Starting SQL*Plus
3-1
3
 Starting SQL*Plus
This chapter describes how to start, login, and connect to a database, how to get help, 
and how to exit SQL*Plus. 
Specific topics discussed are:
■
Login Username and Password
■
Connecting to a Database
■
Starting SQL*Plus
■
Exiting SQL*Plus Command-line
■
SQLPLUS Program Syntax
Login Username and Password
When you start SQL*Plus, you need a username and password to login to an Oracle 
Database schema. Your username and password identify you as an authorized user of 
the Oracle Database schema. 
The database administrator (DBA) is responsible for creating your database account 
with the necessary privileges and giving you the username and password that enables 
you to access your account.
Default logins are created and you are prompted for associated passwords during 
Oracle Database installation. Some of the default login usernames created are: 
■
SYS 
■
SYSTEM
■
HR
Logins are created and displayed in messages during Oracle Database installation. 
For further information about the default logins, see the Oracle Database Administrator's 
Guide. 
Once you have logged in, you can connect under a different username using the 
CONNECT command. The username and password must be valid for the database. 
For example, to connect the username TODD to the default database using the 
password FOX, you could enter
CONNECT TODD
You are prompted to enter the password, FOX.

---

Connecting to a Database
3-2
SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference
In the command-line interface, if you omit the username and password, SQL*Plus 
prompts you for them. Because CONNECT first disconnects you from your current 
database, you will be left unconnected to any database if you use an invalid username 
and password in your CONNECT command.
If you log on or connect as a user whose account has expired, you are prompted to 
change your password before you can connect. 
If an account is locked, a message is displayed and connection as this user is not 
permitted until the account is unlocked by your DBA.
You can use the DISCONNECT command to disconnect from a database without 
leaving SQL*Plus.