Sql*Plus User’s Guide and Reference

Starting Command-line SQL*Plus
To begin using SQL*Plus, you must first understand how to start and stop SQL*Plus.
Example 3–7
Starting SQL*Plus
This example shows you how to start SQL*Plus:
1.
Make sure that SQL*Plus has been installed on your computer.
2.
Log on to the operating system (if required).
3.
Enter the command, SQLPLUS, and press Return. 
SQLPLUS
SQL*Plus displays its version number, the current date, and copyright 
information, and prompts you for your username (the text displayed on your 
system may differ slightly):
4.
Enter your username and press Return. SQL*Plus displays the prompt "Enter 
password:".
5.
Enter your password and press Return again. For your protection, your password 
does not appear on the screen.
The process of entering your username and password is called logging in. 
SQL*Plus displays the version of Oracle Database to which you connected and the 
versions of available tools such as PL/SQL, and the local time of the last time you 
logged on.
Note:
Some operating systems expect you to enter commands in 
lowercase letters. If your system expects lowercase, enter the 
SQLPLUS command in lowercase.
SQL*Plus: Release 12.1.0.1.0 Development on Fri Aug 3 19:03:02 2012
Copyright (c) 1982, 2012, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Enter user-name:

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Exiting SQL*Plus Command-line
3-6
SQL*Plus User's Guide and Reference
Next, SQL*Plus displays the SQL*Plus command prompt:
SQL>
The SQL*Plus command prompt indicates that SQL*Plus is ready to accept your 
commands. 
If SQL*Plus does not start, you should see a message to help you correct the problem.
Getting Command-line Help
To access command-line help for SQL*Plus commands, type HELP or ? followed by 
the command name at the SQL command prompt. See the 
HELP
 command on 
page 12-63 for more information. For example:
HELP ACCEPT
To display a list of SQL*Plus commands, type HELP followed by either TOPICS or 
INDEX. HELP TOPICS displays a single column list of SQL*Plus commands. HELP 
INDEX displays a four column list of SQL*Plus commands which fits in a standard 
screen. For example:
HELP INDEX