{"id":4080,"date":"2014-11-05T17:19:37","date_gmt":"2014-11-05T16:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dbi-services.com\/blog\/the-future-of-sqlplus-and-some-oddities\/"},"modified":"2014-11-05T17:19:37","modified_gmt":"2014-11-05T16:19:37","slug":"the-future-of-sqlplus-and-some-oddities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dbi-services.com\/blog\/the-future-of-sqlplus-and-some-oddities\/","title":{"rendered":"The future of SQL*Plus and some oddities"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Franck Pachot<\/h2>\n

.
\nRumors are coming after OOW14. Oracle is working on a new SQL*Plus version. Not only a new version. It’s a completely new development. Here is what we know currently about the future of sqlplus an sqldeveloper. But I start with some very old stuff.<\/p>\n

SQL*Plus<\/h3>\n

sqlplus is an old tool. With many features that look as oddities today.<\/p>\n

You want to see some oddities? Good idea because it can be error-prone. Without knowing them, an error when commenting out a line can be very problematic:<\/p>\n

SQL> create table MY_DUAL ( DUMMY varchar2(1) );\nTable created.\n\nSQL> insert into MY_DUAL values ('X');\n1 row created.\n\nSQL> \/*I've inserted only one row, right?*\/\n1 row created.\n\nSQL> select count(*) from MY_DUAL;\n\n  COUNT(*)\n----------\n         2\n<\/pre>\n
Yes, my comment without a space after the ‘\/*’ executed the previous command again, as does the ‘\/’<\/p>\n
Another one? Imagine that by mistake you comment a line using the linux comments ‘#’<\/p>\n
SQL> # drop table MY_DUAL;\nTable dropped.\n<\/pre>\n
The command was executed. The ‘#’ executes the command. What is the reason for that? Imagine I’m typing a long pl\/sql and I want to run a describe in order to check table columns. I’m in 1985 so I just can’t open a new window.<\/p>\n
SQL> declare\n  2   cursor c is select * from SCOTT.EMP where\n  3  # -- what are the columns of EMP ?\n  3  # -- ok let's get them:\n  3  # desc SCOTT.EMP\n Name                                      Null?    Type\n ----------------------------------------- -------- ----------------------------\n EMPNO                                     NOT NULL NUMBER(4)\n ENAME                                              VARCHAR2(10)\n JOB                                                VARCHAR2(9)\n MGR                                                NUMBER(4)\n HIREDATE                                           DATE\n SAL                                                NUMBER(7,2)\n COMM                                               NUMBER(7,2)\n DEPTNO                                             NUMBER(2)\n\n  3    mgr is null;\n  4  begin\n  5   null;\n  6  end;\n  7  .\nSQL> l\n  1  declare\n  2   cursor c is select * from SCOTT.EMP where\n  3    mgr is null;\n  4  begin\n  5   null;\n  6* end;\nSQL>\n<\/pre>\n
Great, I was able to run a command without disturbing the statement I was writing. Cool feature in 1985. Risky feature in 2014. Still there for compatibility. Up to you to disable it with:<\/p>\n
SQL> set sqlprefix off\nSQL> #drop table MY_DUAL;\nSP2-0734: unknown command beginning \"#drop tabl...\" - rest of line ignored.\n<\/pre>\n
SQL Developer<\/h3>\n
SQL Developer was a nice evolution. I use it a lot. I don’t know enough all the possibilities. For example I discovered only very recently that there is a command line access to SQL Developer which has a few features:<\/p>\n
F:orasqldevelopersqldeveloperbin>sdcli\nAvailable features:\ncart: Database Cart Batch Tasks\ndba: Basic Batch DBA Tasks\nformat: SQL Format Task\nmigration: Database Migration Tasks\nreports: Basic Batch Reporting Tasks\nunittest: Unit Testing Batch Tasks\n<\/pre>\n
More info about it on jeff Smith blog<\/p>\n
SQL Developer 4.1<\/h3>\n
At Oracle Open World, Jeff Smith (Product Manager of SQL Developer) not only organized the Golden Gate Run, but also unveiled a few SQL developer 4.1 new features. It’s not only a tool for developers, but you can do many DBA or monitoring tasks from it.<\/p>\n
His presentation is here<\/a><\/p>\n
A new SQL*Plus?<\/h3>\n
If you follow Kris Rice tweets you have probably seen a few teasers about a new sqlplus coming. Yes, they are completely rewriting sqlplus.
\nHere is an example:<\/p>\n
A little more of a preview of what we’re building. http:\/\/t.co\/Xfx01EexRf<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 krisrice (@krisrice) October 31, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What we can expect?<\/p>\n