Oracle SQL*Plus: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition

Name

SET SQLNUMBER — Not available in iSQL*Plus

Synopsis

The SQLNUMBER setting controls whether SQL*Plus uses the line number as a prompt when you enter a multiline SQL statement.

Syntax

SET SQLN[UMBER] {OFF | ON}

Parameters

SET SQLN[UMBER]

Is the command, which may be abbreviated SET SQLN.

OFF

Causes SQL*Plus to use the same prompt for all lines of a SQL statement or PL/SQL block.

ON

Causes SQL*Plus to use the line number as the prompt for the second and subsequent lines of a SQL statement or PL/SQL block. This is the default setting.

Examples

The following example shows the difference between the ON and OFF settings:

SQL> SET SQLNUMBER ON
SQL> SELECT
  2  *
  3  FROM dual
  4
SQL> SET SQLNUMBER OFF
SQL> SELECT
SQL> *
SQL> FROM dual
SQL>

I can't imagine any reason to ever turn this setting off. Look at the first and second statements in the example. It's immediately obvious that the three lines of the first query all belong together as one statement. This is not so obvious with the second statement—you have to think about it a bit. The visual cue provided by the line numbers is missing, making you take more time to figure out what you are really looking at.