| Lesson 2 | Introducing PL/SQL |
| Objective | Describe some of the common tools used to develop PL/SQL. |
The standard Procedural Language (PL) for Structured Query Language (SQL, pronounced sequel) is referred to as PL/SQL.
The language bridges the gap between database technology and procedural programming language. Basically an application development tool, PL/SQL uses the facilities of the sophisticated Oracle relational database management system (RDBMS) and extends the standard SQL database language.
PL/SQL is an extension to SQL. Thus, PL/SQL permits the use of all SQL data manipulation statements, including INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and SELECT, as well as cursor operations and the transaction processing statements COMMIT, ROLLBACK, and SAVEPOINT.
You have two choices for native tools in Oracle8 to develop your PL/SQL: SQL*Plus and SQL Worksheet.
SQL*Plus
The language bridges the gap between database technology and procedural programming language. Basically an application development tool, PL/SQL uses the facilities of the sophisticated Oracle relational database management system (RDBMS) and extends the standard SQL database language.
PL/SQL is an extension to SQL. Thus, PL/SQL permits the use of all SQL data manipulation statements, including INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and SELECT, as well as cursor operations and the transaction processing statements COMMIT, ROLLBACK, and SAVEPOINT.
You have two choices for native tools in Oracle8 to develop your PL/SQL: SQL*Plus and SQL Worksheet.
SQL*Plus has been part of Oracle’s software system from the very beginning. SQL*Plus can be run in a windows mode on the client
or server side or in line-command mode on the server side. This makes it a versatile tool for the database administrator.
If you have taken the first course in this series, you are already familiar with SQL*Plus.
SQL Worksheet
If you have taken the first course in this series, you are already familiar with SQL*Plus.
SQL Worksheet is one of the tools in Oracle Enterprise Manager. You can use SQL Worksheet to execute SQL in the Oracle
database.
The figure below shows the graphical user interface used by SQL Worksheet:
The figure below shows the graphical user interface used by SQL Worksheet:
| Feature | SQL*Plus | SQL Worksheet |
| Windows-like interface | Poor | Good |
| Browse tool for retrieving and saving files | No | Yes |
| Editor | Use any editor of your choice | Use any editor of your choice |
| Editing in tool | Line mode only, limited mouse as well as cut-and-paste capability | Rich cut-and-paste and mouse capabilities |
| Format numbers | Yes, using the SET command | No |
| Format heading | Yes, using the COLUMN command | No |
| Retrieve prior commands | Only most recent command | Yes |
| Behavior on exit | Commits transaction by default on exit | Rolls back transaction by default on exit |
If you like the standard Microsoft Windows features, you will want to use SQL Worksheet. However, SQL Worksheet may get a little
frustrating because the tool has a lot of bugs. SQL*Plus is very robust and has been around for a long time.
In the next lesson, the different types of PL/SQL variables will be identified.
In the next lesson, the different types of PL/SQL variables will be identified.
