Oracle® 11g For Dummies®

Chapter 6. Speaking the SQL Language

In This Chapter

• Using SQL and the SQL*Plus Tool

• Getting help from SQL*Plus

• Using the Oracle data dictionary

• Seeing an overview of PL/SQL

This chapter shows you some useful SQL and PL/SQL syntax and usage (that literally span over 1,000 pages that Oracle 11g has documented). With that understanding, we provide some helpful tricks by explaining and illustrating standard DBA commands and scripts that should be useful for everyday maintenance. We cover some SQL Developer examples too. And hey, you don't want to be perceived as Microsoft SQL Server DBAs of the royal GUI echelon do you? I guess that depends on the pay.

Tip

If you're somewhat familiar with SQL or Oracle's SQL*Plus, you might consider skimming through this chapter. If you find yourself feeling a little lost, consider ramping up on some SQL fundamentals first.

Almost all good DBAs are proficient in SQL*Plus, Oracle's SQL command-line executable. That is always the quickest and most efficient way to finding what you're looking for. Several other tools help execute SQL commands. Those on the market include but aren't limited to Toad, Embarcadero, SQL Worksheet, DB Console, and (my free favorite) Oracle's SQL developer.

Try to bear down and accept command-line interfaces before you get spoiled with what you might think is a simpler way.

Using SQL in Oracle

You might be asking what SQL is. Hopefully you know that it's pronounced sequel and that it stands for Structured Query Language.

Note

SQL is an ...