Search notes:

SQL*Plus: START

start script.sql runs (executes) the SQL statements recorded in script.sql.

SQL*Plus searches for the indicated file in the current directory first and then in the directories that are pointed at by $SQLPATH.

Using @ when starting SQL*Plus

The @ can also be used on the command line when SQL*Plus is invoked to start a script file:

sqlplus rene/xxxx@db  @do-stuff.sql

test depth limit

prompt Test depht limit
start test_depth_limit.sql

Github repository Oracle-Patterns, path: /SQLPlus/start/test_depth_limit.sql

Question mark

The question mark is replaced with the value of ORACLE_HOME which makes installing scripts (notably those found under $ORACLE_HOME/rdmbs/amdin) a bit easier:

rene@ora19> @?/rdbms/admin/utlsqmpl

Enter value for xyz

Sometimes, when executing an SQL script in SQL*Plus, the message Enter value for xyz show up:

SQL> @update-customers.sql
Enter value for xyz:

The cause for this message is (probably) that the script contains substitution variables and SQL*Plus prompts for the value that should be assigned to such a variable.

In order to turn off this message, use

set define off

Prevent displaying of commands found and executed in an SQL script file

With echo being set to on, SQL*Plus will display (replicate) each command found within the SQL script before executing it.

I find this behavior in most cases quite distractful, therefor, I like to set it off:

SQL> set echo off
SQL> @script.sql