Sql*Plus User’s Guide and Reference

Table 2–2
Profile Scripts affecting SQL*Plus User Interface Settings
This script ...
is run in the Command-line...
Site Profile
 (glogin.sql)
Can contain any content that 
can be included in a SQL*Plus 
script, such as system variable 
settings or other global settings 
the DBA wants to implement.
After successful Oracle Database connection from a 
SQLPLUS or CONNECT command. 
Where /NOLOG is specified.
User Profile
 (login.sql)
Can contain any content that 
can be included in a SQL*Plus 
script, but the settings are only 
applicable to the user's sessions. 
Immediately after the Site Profile. 

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SQL*Plus Configuration
2-4
SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference
Site Profile
A Site Profile script is created during installation. It is used by the database 
administrator to configure site-wide behavior for SQL*Plus Command-line 
connections. The Site Profile script installed during installation is an empty script.
The Site Profile script is generally named glogin.sql. SQL*Plus executes this script 
whenever a user starts a SQL*Plus session and successfully establishes the Oracle 
Database connection. 
The Site Profile enables the DBA to set up site wide SQL*Plus environment defaults for 
all users of a particular SQL*Plus installation 
Users cannot directly access the Site Profile. 
Default Site Profile Script
The Site Profile script is $ORACLE_HOME/sqlplus/admin/glogin.sql in UNIX, and 
ORACLE_HOME\sqlplus\admin\glogin.sql in Windows. If a Site Profile already 
exists at this location, it is overwritten when you install SQL*Plus. If SQL*Plus is 
removed, the Site Profile script is deleted.
User Profile
For SQL*Plus command-line connections, SQL*Plus also supports a User Profile script. 
The User Profile is executed after the Site Profile and is intended to allow users to 
specifically customize their session. The User Profile script is generally named 
login.sql. SQL*Plus searches for the User Profile in your current directory, and then 
the directories you specify with the SQLPATH environment variable. SQL*Plus 
searches this colon-separated list of directories and their subdirectories in the order 
they are listed.
You can add any SQL commands, PL/SQL blocks, or SQL*Plus commands to your 
user profile. When you start SQL*Plus, it automatically searches for your user profile 
and runs the commands it contains.