Oracle SQL*Plus Pocket Reference, 3rd Edition

Browser-Based SQL*Plus

In 2001, Oracle released iSQL*Plus, a browser-based version of SQL*Plus that runs in a three-tier configuration. You access iSQL*Plus via a web browser on your PC. Beginning in Oracle Database 10g, iSQL*Plus runs as a Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) application server. It is installed by default with the database and runs on the database server.

iSQL*Plus is as compatible as possible with command-line SQL*Plus, but there are a few differences. Most obviously, the editing paradigm is different. You enter and edit commands using a text box in your browser window. Line-editing commands such as CHANGE and APPEND make no sense in that context and are not supported in iSQL*Plus. The SQL*Plus Command Reference section indicates which commands do not apply in iSQL*Plus.

Another difference between iSQL*Plus and command-line SQL*Plus involves access to operating system files. Commands such as GET and SPOOL are disabled in iSQL*Plus. The general rule is that you are not allowed any kind of access to operating system files.

Starting and Stopping iSQL*Plus

Before you can use iSQL*Plus, you need to start the application server. Do that first by connecting to your database server as the Oracle software owner and then by entering the isqlplusctl start command:

oracle@gennick02:~>  isqlplusctl start
iSQL*Plus 10.1.0.2.0
Copyright (c) 2004 Oracle.  All rights reserved.
Starting iSQL*Plus ...
iSQL*Plus started.

Clients may now connect to iSQL*Plus via their browsers.

Use isqlplusctl ...