Oracle SQL*Plus: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition

Conventions Used in This Book

The following conventions are used in this book:

Italic

Used for filenames, directory names, URLs, and occasional emphasis.

Constant width

Used for code examples, and used in text for table names, view names, and other user-defined names of database objects.

Constant width bold

Used in examples that show interaction between SQL*Plus and a user. Commands typed by the user are shown in bold, but output from SQL*Plus is shown in normal text.

Constant width italic

In some code examples, and in many syntax diagrams, indicates an element (e.g., a filename) you supply.

UPPERCASE

Generally indicates SQL and SQL*Plus keywords.

lowercase

In code examples, generally indicates user-defined items such as variables, parameters, etc.

—

In code examples, a double hyphen begins a single-line comment, which extends to the end of a line.

/* and */

In code examples, these characters delimit a multiline comment, which can extend from one line to another.

.

In code examples and related discussions, a dot qualifies a reference by separating an object name from a component name. In this book, dot notation is most often used in fully qualified column names, which you will see written as table_name.column_name. The dot separates the table name from the column name.

[ ]

In syntax descriptions, square brackets enclose optional items.

{ }

In syntax descriptions, curly brackets enclose a set of items from which you must choose only one.

|

In syntax descriptions, a vertical bar separates the items enclosed in square or curly brackets, as in {VARCHAR2 | DATE | NUMBER}.

::=

In syntax descriptions, indicates an expansion of a syntax element.

Tip

Indicates a tip, suggestion, or general note. For example, I'll tell you if you need to use a particular SQL*Plus version, or if an operation requires certain privileges.

Warning

Indicates a warning or caution. For example, I'll tell you if SQL*Plus does not behave as you'd expect, or if a particular operation has a negative impact on performance.