Oracle in a Nutshell

Entering SQL statements

SQL statements may span multiple lines and must always be terminated. This may be done using either a semicolon ( ; ) or a forward slash ( / ). For example:

SELECT user
FROM dual;

SELECT user
FROM dual
/

In both of these cases, the SQL statement will be entered into a buffer known as the SQL buffer and then will be executed. You may also terminate a SQL statement using either a blank line or a period, in which case the statement is stored in the buffer but not executed. For example:

SQL> SELECT user
  2  FROM dual
  3  
SQL> SELECT user
  2  FROM dual
  3  .

Use the SET SQLTERMINATOR command to change the terminator from a semicolon to some other character. Use SET SQLBLANKLINES ON to allow blank lines within a SQL statement. To execute the statement currently in the buffer, enter a forward slash on a line by itself.