Differences Between SQL and SQL*Plus

When starting out with Oracle databases, it’s common to encounter the terms SQL and SQL*Plus. Although they are often used together, they serve different purposes. This article will help beginners understand what SQL and SQL*Plus are and how they differ from each other.

What is SQL?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard programming language used to communicate with and manipulate databases. It is used to perform tasks such as retrieving data, updating records, deleting rows, and creating or modifying database structures. SQL is used across many database systems, not just Oracle.

What is SQL*Plus?

SQL*Plus is a command-line tool provided by Oracle to interact with the Oracle Database. It acts as an interface where you can execute SQL commands, PL/SQL blocks, and SQL*Plus-specific commands. It also allows for scripting and formatting the output of SQL queries. SQL*Plus is unique to Oracle and provides administrative capabilities beyond standard SQL.

Differences Between SQL and SQL*Plus

The differences are as follows:

	SQL	SQL*Plus
Definition	A standard language for accessing and manipulating databases.	A command-line interface tool to run SQL and Oracle-specific commands.
Functionality	Used to query, update, insert, and delete database data.	Used to execute SQL and PL/SQL scripts, and format query results.
Standardization	SQL is standardized and used across multiple database platforms.	SQL*Plus is proprietary and specific to Oracle Database.
Commands	Supports only SQL and PL/SQL statements.	Supports SQL, PL/SQL, and SQL*Plus commands (like SET, SPOOL).
Interface	Not an interface; it is a language.	A user interface to interact with the Oracle Database using SQL.
Output Formatting	Does not handle output formatting by itself.	Allows formatting of output like setting column width and headings.
Error Handling	Handles database-related errors.	Handles both SQL and command-line script errors.