Oracle SQL*Plus: The Definitive Guide

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.

Constant width bold

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

Constant width italic

In some code examples, indicates an element (e.g., a filename) you supply.

UPPERCASE

In code examples, indicates PL/SQL keywords. In text, indicates PL/SQL keywords, table names, and column names.

lowercase

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

Punctuation

In code examples, enter exactly as shown.

Indentation

In code examples, helps to show structure (but is not required).

--

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.field_name. The dot separates the table name from the column name.

< >

In syntax descriptions, angle brackets enclose the name of a syntactic element.

[ ]

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 curly brackets, as in {VARCHAR2 | DATE | NUMBER}.

Tip

Indicates a tip, suggestion, or general note. For example, we’ll tell you if you need to use a particular Oracle version or if an operation requires certain privileges.

Warning

Indicates a warning or caution. For example, we’ll tell you if Oracle does not behave as you’d expect or if a particular operation has a negative impact on performance.