ISYS 365

SQL*Plus Environment

Agenda

What is SQL*Plus?

Command Line Editor

Useful SQL*Plus Commands

Useful System Tables

What is PL/SQL?

PL/SQL Constructs
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What is SQL*Plus?

Oracles development environment

Used to write, test and debug SQL

and PL/SQL code

Hasnt changed much in 20 years

Command Line Editor

list or list #
change

del

Example: /Featuer/Feature (can use any delimiter)

del (current line only)
del 3 7 (range of lines)
del 2 LAST (deletes from line 2 to the end of the
buffer)
Do NOT use the word delete

clear buffer: clears out the SQL statement

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Command Line Editor

append

Places text at the end of the current line

without any spaces between the existing
text & the appended text

input

Useful SQL*Plus Commands

set headsep: identifies the character that tells SQL*Plus

when to split a title or column onto 2 or more lines

Default character: |

Set headsep !

ttitle: sets the title at the top of each page

SQL> SELECT LNAME "Last_Name|Of|Employee"

will display
Last_Name
Of
Employee
---------------

ttitle Sales by Product During 1901!Second Six Months

If title should display an apostrophe, then use two single
quotes

btitle: sets the title at the bottom of each page

Useful SQL*Plus Commands

column: tells SQL*Plus how to handle columns

Can be used to re-label column headings

column Item heading What Was!Sold

Can be used to specify column format

column Item format a18

column Rate format 90.99

Can be used to truncate data in column

zero tells SQL*Plus to pad the number with a zero (if

necessary)
999,999,999
99.90

column Item truncated (OR column Item trunc)

Can be used to wrap info

column Item word_wrapped

Useful SQL*Plus Commands

column: tells SQL*Plus how to handle

columns

Can be used to specify column format

Alphanumeric: column Item format a18

Numeric: column Rate format 90.99

Use nines and zeros to specify the numeric pattern

Examples: (a) 999,999,999 (b) 99.90

COLUMN Salary FORMAT $999,999.99

See numeric formatting in Oracle Complete Reference

Useful SQL*Plus Commands

break on: tells SQL*Plus where to break for subtotals

and totals

break on Item skip 2

break on Item duplicate skip 2

will not repeat the value in the Item column

Create one line for each unique Item value and skip 2 lines
will repeat the value in the Item column

must be coordinated with the order by clause

break on report

tells SQL*Plus to provide a grand total for the report

Example: break on Item skip 2 on report

break on report on Item skip 2

compute sum: tells SQL*Plus to calculate subtotals

works in conjunction with the break on command

Useful SQL*Plus Commands

Basic rules for computing subtotals & totals:

Every break on must have a related order by

Consecutive break on commands will override the
previous break on command
To create both subtotals & totals, combine the break
on instructions as follows

break on X skip # on report OR

break on report on X skip #
where X = column name & # = lines to skip between
sections

Every compute sum must have a related break on

Clear breaks and computes before setting up new
ones

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Useful SQL*Plus Commands

set linesize

set pagesize

sets the maximum number of characters

allowed on any line; usually 70 or 80
sets the maximum number of lines per
page; usually 66 lines

set newpage

sets the number of blank lines between

pages
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Useful SQL*Plus Commands

spool & spool off

Example: spool test.sql

run (/)
start (@)
save

saves the SQL statements, but not the SQL*Plus commands

Example: save example.sql

(or save example.sql replace)

store

saves the current SQL*Plus environment

Example: store set my_settings.sql create

(or replace or append)

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Useful SQL*Plus Commands

To check the current settings

column (or column column_name)

ttitle
btitle
break
compute
show headsep
show linesize
show pagesize
show newpage

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Useful SQL*Plus Commands

To clear the current settings

ttitle off
btitle off
clear columns
clear breaks
clear computes

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Useful System Tables

User_Constraints

User_Cons_Columns

Useful fields: constraint_name, table_name,

constraint_type
constraint_type: C, P, R & U
Useful fields: constraint_name, column_name, position

SELECT column_name
FROM user_cons_columns
WHERE constraint_name=SYS_C0008791;
Retrieving constraints defined by the user
WHERE CONSTRAINT_NAME NOT LIKE '%SYS%';

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Useful System Tables

user_sequences

Contains sequences owned by the current

user

user_errors

Contains compilation errors for the

current user
Use the show errors SQL*Plus command
to view the errors in the user_errors table
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What Is PL/SQL?

PL/SQL stands for Procedural Language

operating on or using SQL
Combines the flexibility of SQL (4GL) with the
power and configurability of the procedural
constructs of a 3GL
Extends SQL by adding 3GL constructs such
as:

Variables and types (predefined and user defined)

Control Structures (IF-THEN-ELSE, Loops)
Procedures and functions
Object types and methods

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PL/SQL Constructs

PL/SQL based on Ada language

constructs

Block Structure
Error Handling
Variables and Types
Conditionals
Looping Constructs
Cursors
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Introduction to PL / SQL
Chapter 1

What Is PL / SQL

PL/SQL stands for Procedural Language

operating on or using SQL
Combines power and flexibility of SQL
(4GL) with procedural constructs of a 3GL
Extends SQL by adding

Variables and types

Control Structures
Procedures and functions
Object types and methods

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File 3gl_4gl.sql
Demonstrates both SQL and PL/SQL
DECLARE

commands
v_NewMajor VARCHAR2(10) := 'History';
v_FirstName VARCHAR2(10) := 'Scott';
v_LastName VARCHAR2(10) := 'Urman';
BEGIN
UPDATE students
SET major = v_NewMajor
WHERE first_name = v_FirstName
AND last_name = v_LastName;
IF SQL%NOTFOUND THEN
INSERT INTO students (ID, first_name, last_name, major)
VALUES (student_sequence.NEXTVAL, v_FirstName, v_LastName,
v_NewMajor);
END IF;
END;
/

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Client-Server Model

SQL results in many network trips,

one for each SQL statement
PL/SQL permits several SQL
statements to be bundled into a
single block
Results in fewer calls to database

Less network traffic

faster response time
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Features of PL / SQL

Block Structure
Error Handling
Variables and Types
Looping Constructs
Cursors

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Features of PL / SQL
Block Structure

Basic unit of PL/SQL is a block

Three possible sections of a block

Declarative section
Executable section
Exception handling

A block performs a logical unit of

work in the program
Blocks can be nested
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Features of PL / SQL
Error Handling

Exception handling section permits

the user to trap and respond to
run-time errors
Exceptions can be associated with

Predefined Oracle errors

User-defined errors

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File Error.sql
Illustrates an exception handler
DECLARE
v_ErrorCode NUMBER;

-- Code for the error

v_ErrorMsg VARCHAR2(200);

-- Message text for the error

v_CurrentUser VARCHAR2(8);

-- Current database user

v_Information VARCHAR2(100);

-- Information about the error

BEGIN
/* Code which processes some data here */
NULL;
-- (continued)

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File Error.sql
Illustrates an exception handler
EXCEPTION
WHEN OTHERS THEN
v_ErrorCode := SQLCODE;
v_ErrorMsg := SQLERRM;
v_CurrentUser := USER;
v_Information := 'Error encountered on ' ||
TO_CHAR(SYSDATE) || ' by database user ' || v_CurrentUser;
INSERT INTO log_table (code, message, info)
VALUES (v_ErrorCode, v_ErrorMsg, v_Information);
END;
/

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Features of PL / SQL
Variables and Types

A variable is a named location in

memory that:

can be read from

assigned a value

Declared in the declaration section

Variables have a specific type
associated with them
Can be same type as database
columns
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Features of PL / SQL
Looping Constructs

A loop allows execution of a set of

statements repeatedly
Types of loops

Simple loop
Numeric For loop
While loop

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File SimpleLoop.sql
Demonstrates a simple loop
DECLARE
v_LoopCounter BINARY_INTEGER := 1;
BEGIN
LOOP
INSERT INTO temp_table (num_col)
VALUES (v_LoopCounter);
v_LoopCounter := v_LoopCounter + 1;
EXIT WHEN v_LoopCounter > 50;
END LOOP;
END;
/

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File NumericLoop.sql
Demonstrates a numeric FOR loop
BEGIN
FOR v_LoopCounter IN 1..50 LOOP
INSERT INTO temp_table (num_col)
VALUES (v_LoopCounter);
END LOOP;
END;
/

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Features of PL / SQL
Cursors

A cursor creates a named context

area as a result of executing an
associated SQL statement
Permits the program to step
through the multiple rows
displayed by an SQL statement

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File CursorLoop.sql
Demonstrates a cursor fetch loop
DECLARE
v_FirstName VARCHAR2(20);
v_LastName VARCHAR2(20);
CURSOR c_Students IS
SELECT first_name, last_name
FROM students;
BEGIN
OPEN c_Students;
LOOP
FETCH c_Students INTO v_FirstName, v_LastName;
EXIT WHEN c_Students%NOTFOUND;
/* Process data here */
END LOOP;
CLOSE c_Students;
END;

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File Conditional.sql
Illustrates a conditional statement
DECLARE
v_TotalStudents NUMBER;
BEGIN
SELECT COUNT(*)
INTO v_TotalStudents
FROM students;
-- (continued)

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File Conditional.sql
Illustrates a conditional statement
IF v_TotalStudents = 0 THEN
INSERT INTO temp_table (char_col)
VALUES ('There are no students registered');
ELSIF v_TotalStudents < 5 THEN
INSERT INTO temp_table (char_col)
VALUES ('There are only a few students registered');
ELSIF v_TotalStudents < 10 THEN
INSERT INTO temp_table (char_col)
VALUES ('There are a little more students registered');
ELSE
INSERT INTO temp_table (char_col)
VALUES ('There are many students registered');
END IF;
END;
/

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File PrintStudents.sql
Illustrates a stored procedure
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE PrintStudents(
p_Major IN students.major%TYPE) AS
CURSOR c_Students IS
SELECT first_name, last_name
FROM students
WHERE major = p_Major;
BEGIN
FOR v_StudentRec IN c_Students LOOP
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(v_StudentRec.first_name || ' ' ||
v_StudentRec.last_name);
END LOOP;
END;
/

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File PrintStudents.sql
Illustrates a stored procedure
BEGIN
PrintStudents ('Computer Science');
END;
/

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Online Code

All of the named examples used in

the book are on the accompanying
CD

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Example Tables / Views

Tables used throughout text

classes describes the classes available for the

students to take
debug_table used during debugging sessions
log_table records Oracle errors
major_stats holds statistics generated about
different majors
registered_students contains information
about the classes students are currently taking

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Example Tables / Views

Tables used throughout text

rooms holds information about the

classrooms available
RS_audit used to record changes made to
registered students
student_sequence generates unique
values for the primary key of the students
students contains information about
students attending the school
temp_table stores temporary data
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File tables.sql
PROMPT student_sequence...
DROP SEQUENCE student_sequence;
CREATE SEQUENCE student_sequence
START WITH 10000
INCREMENT BY 1;
PROMPT students table...
DROP TABLE students CASCADE CONSTRAINTS;
CREATE TABLE students (
id

NUMBER(5) PRIMARY KEY,

first_name

VARCHAR2(20),

last_name

VARCHAR2(20),

major

VARCHAR2(30),

current_credits NUMBER(3)
);

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Example Tables
classes
CREATE TABLE classes
(
department
CHAR (3),
course
NUMBER (3),
description
VARCHAR2 (2000),
max_students
NUMBER (3),
current_students
NUMBER (3),
num_credits
NUMBER (1),
room_id
NUMBER (5),
CONSTRAINT classes_department_course
PRIMARY KEY (department, course),
CONSTRAINT classes_room_id
FOREIGN KEY (room_id) REFERENCES rooms (room_id)
);

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Example Tables
debug_table
CREATE TABLE debug_table
(
linecount
NUMBER,
debug_str
VARCHAR2 (100)
);

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Example Tables
exception_view
CREATE VIEW exception_view AS
SELECT exception exception_description,
date_occurred
FROM exception_table;

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Example Tables
log_table
CREATE TABLE
(
code
message
info
);

log_table
NUMBER,
VARCHAR2 (200),
VARCHAR2 (100)

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Example Tables
major_stats
CREATE TABLE major_stats
(
major
VARCHAR2 (30),
total_credits NUMBER,
total_students NUMBER
);

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Example Tables
registered_students
CREATE TABLE registered_students
(
student_id
NUMBER (5)
NOT NULL,
department CHAR (3)
NOT NULL,
course
NUMBER (3)
NOT NULL,
grade
CHAR (1),
CONSTRAINT rs_grade
CHECK (grade IN ('A', 'B', 'C', 'D', 'E')),
CONSTRAINT rs_student_id
FOREIGN KEY (student_id) REFERENCES students (id),
CONSTRAINT rs_department_course
FOREIGN KEY (department, course)
REFERENCES classes (department, course)
);

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Example Tables
rooms
CREATE TABLE rooms
(
room_id
NUMBER (5)
PRIMARY KEY,
building
VARCHAR2 (15),
room_number NUMBER (4),
number_seats NUMBER (4),
description
VARCHAR2 (50)
);

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Example Tables
RS_audit
CREATE TABLE RS_audit
(
change_type
CHAR (1)
NOT NULL,
changed_by
VARCHAR2 (8) NOT NULL,
timestamp
DATE
NOT NULL,
old_student_id
NUMBER (5),
old_department
CHAR (3),
old_course
NUMBER (3),
old_grade
CHAR (1),
new_student_id
NUMBER (5),
new_department
CHAR (3),
new_course
NUMBER (3),
new_grade
CHAR (1)
);

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Example Tables
student_sequence
CREATE SEQUENCE student_sequence
START WITH 10000
INCREMENT BY 1;

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Example Tables
students
CREATE TABLE students
(
id
NUMBER(5) PRIMARY KEY,
first_name
VARCHAR2 (20),
last_name
VARCHAR2 (20),
major
VARCHAR2 (30),
current_credits
NUMBER(3)
);

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Example Tables
temp_table
CREATE TABLE temp_table
(
num_col
NUMBER,
char_col
VARCHAR2 (60)
);

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In Conclusion

PL/SQL is a sophisticated
programming language used to
access an Oracle database
Procedural constructs are integrated
seamlessly with SQL, resulting in a
structured, powerful language
Combines flexibility of SQL with the
configure ability of a 3GL
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