Oracle SQL Plus Pocket Reference, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1. Oracle SQL*PlusPocket Reference

Introduction

The Oracle SQL*Plus Pocket Reference is a quick-reference guide to SQL*Plus and to commonly used SQL query and data manipulation statements. The purpose of this book is to help you find the syntax of specific language elements. It is not a self-contained user guide; basic knowledge of SQL*Plus is assumed. For more information, see my book Oracle SQL*Plus: The Definitive Guide (O’Reilly) and Mastering Oracle SQL by Sanjay Mishra and Alan Beaulieu (O’Reilly).

Acknowledgments

Deborah Russell, Darl Kuhn, Ken Jacobs, and Alison Holloway all played a part in making this book a reality. For their assistance and support, I’m most grateful.

Conventions

UPPERCASE

Indicates SQL*Plus, SQL, or PL/SQL keywords

lowercase

Indicates user-defined items such as table names

Italic

Indicates filenames, emphasis, introduction of new terms, and parameter names

Constant width

Used for code examples

Constant width bold

Indicates user input in examples showing an interaction

[ ]

Used in syntax descriptions to denote optional elements

{ }

Used in syntax descriptions to denote a required choice

|

Used in syntax descriptions to separate choices

_

Used in syntax descriptions to indicate that the underlined option is the default