SQL*Plus is the primary command-line interface to an Oracle database. It is similar to Server Manager but has many added capabilities that make it a suitable tool for script writing and for reporting. This module provides an introduction to SQL*Plus and shows you how to use some of the more advanced features to write scripts and generate well-organized reports. When you have completed this module, you should be comfortable with the following tasks:

1. Generating SQL*Plus reports with page headers, page footers, formatted columns, and column titles
2. Executing scripts
3. Spooling report and script output to a file
4. Using the SQL*Plus built-in, line-editing commands
5. Using substitution variables and prompting a user for input
6. Use SQL*Plus and SQL to generate SQL scripts based on information in the data dictionary

Mastering SQL*Plus is important, partly because of what you can do with it, but also because it is so widely available. Think of it as the standard language of database administration. Not every Oracle site has Enterprise Manager installed. If you move around a lot doing work for different clients, a knowledge of SQL*Plus and SQL allows you to get work done regardless of what other tools the client has.