🧪 Lab 1.1: Exploring SQL*Plus (Command-Line Interface)

🎯 Objective: To help students become comfortable with Oracle SQL*Plus, the command-line interface used to interact with Oracle Databases by executing SQL statements directly.

🧰 Requirements:

Oracle Database (XE or full version)
SQL*Plus (installed with Oracle)
Valid database user (e.g., HR, SCOTT)
Basic terminal or command line access

⚙️ Steps to Use SQL*Plus

✅ Step 1: Open SQL*Plus

Windows: Open Command Prompt and type: sqlplus
Linux/macOS: Open terminal and type: sqlplus

✅ Step 2: Connect to Oracle Database

sqlplus hr/hr@localhost:1521/xe

Replace hr/hr with your actual username/password and xe with your service name.

✅ Step 3: Run Basic SQL Commands

SELECT table_name FROM user_tables;

DESC employees;

SELECT first_name, last_name, salary FROM employees WHERE department_id = 90;

SELECT first_name, salary FROM employees ORDER BY salary DESC;

✅ Step 4: Format Output (Optional)

COLUMN first_name FORMAT A15
COLUMN last_name FORMAT A15

SELECT first_name, last_name, salary FROM employees;

-- Clear screen (Windows):
HOST CLS

🔚 Step 5: Exit SQL*Plus

EXIT;

📝 Lab Tasks

Log in to SQL*Plus using your assigned credentials.
Display all tables in your schema.
View the structure of the EMPLOYEES table.
Write a query to list employees earning more than 10000.
Sort employees by hire date in ascending order.
Exit SQL*Plus after completing all commands.

💡 Tips

SQL*Plus is script-friendly and fast for repeated tasks.
Use SET PAGESIZE and SET LINESIZE for cleaner output.
Great for automation, lightweight environments, and scripting.

✅ Learning Outcomes

Execute SQL queries directly via terminal or command prompt.
Understand how to retrieve, format, and sort data using SQL.
Gain comfort using Oracle's command-line tool for database access.

Trust Coding : Programming

🧪 Lab 1.1: Getting Started with Oracle SQL*Plus – Beginner SQL Lab Tutorial