1. Variables in SQL*Plus pp. 306
Chapter 14 (8i text): SQLPLUS
Variables in SQL*Plus pp. 306 pp
Simplest way is to precede the variable with &. SQL*Plus then shows old value, prompts for new. && will define and preserve the value for &&.
Another way is to define the variable and assign its value at the same time define xCompany = ‘IDK’
You can prompt the user to enter a value with ACCEPT/PROMPT: accept xCompany prompt ’Company:’

2. Chapter 19 (old text): SQL*PLUS
Loading variables with a query.
You want to generate a query like this for each table in USER_TABLES select count(*) from LEDGER;
So the query is: select 'select count (*) from '|| table_name from USER_TABLES;
In a SQLPLUS script:
set feedback off set heading off spool slave.sql select 'select count (*) from '|| table_name from USER_TABLES; spool off start slave.sql
Script Output:
BREEDING 16 LEDGER LODGING 6 SKILL 6

3. Chapter 19 (old text): SQL*PLUS
Loading/setting variables with a query. spool slave.sql select 'define average = ' , AVG(Amount) from LEDGER; spool off
When above query is ran, here is the output stored in slave.sql file: define average =
Then after slave.sql has been ran, &average becomes usable as if it were a constant… example: select person, amount from LEDGER where amount > &average;

4. Additional Facts About Variables
Chapter 16 (8i text): SQLPLUS
Additional Facts About Variables pp
&1, &2, &3… &n are start parameters. Example: start ledger.sql 01-JAN JAN-02 Is like having this as the first 2 lines of ledger.sql: define 1 = '01-JAN-01' define 2 = '01-JAN-02‘
. (period) ends a variable name so that it can be next to constants or SQL.
set escape sqlplus command that defines a character you can place in front of & so they can be literals.
set scan on set scan off Toggles variable scanning in your script.

5. Chapter 20: Changing the Oracle Surroundings
Know how to create an Index, what indexes do in general, also unique and bitmap indexes.
Know what a Tablespace is, how it differs from a table and a file.
Vocabulary: Extent, Segment.
Understand the elements of the CREATE TABLE’s storage clause. Appendix p. 1194
Know what a Cluster is in Oracle and why you would use them.
Know what a Sequence is in Oracle and how to use them to populate values into a table.