SQLPlus Pause

One of the useful features of SQLPlus is the PAUSE command, which enables users to control the display of output and pause the execution of a script or command.

The PAUSE command in SQL*Plus allows you to pause the output on the screen, giving you an opportunity to review the displayed information before continuing. It can be particularly helpful when executing long or complex scripts that generate a significant amount of output.

Syntax

The syntax for the PAUSE command is as follows:

PAUSE [text]

The optional “text” parameter allows you to specify a message to display when the output is paused. This message can provide instructions or additional information to the user. If the “text” parameter is not provided, SQL*Plus will display a default message indicating that output has been paused.

When the PAUSE command is encountered during script execution, SQL*Plus will display the specified message (or the default message) and wait for user input. To continue the execution, the user can press the “Enter” key. This gives them an opportunity to review the displayed information or take any necessary actions before proceeding.

Example

Here’s an example of using the PAUSE command in a SQL*Plus script:

SELECT employee_id, first_name, last_name
FROM employees;

PAUSE 'Press Enter to continue...';

SELECT department_id, department_name
FROM departments;

In this example, the first SELECT statement retrieves employee information from the “employees” table. After displaying the results, the PAUSE command is used to pause the execution and prompt the user to press Enter. Once the user presses Enter, the script continues and executes the second SELECT statement, retrieving department information from the “departments” table.

By utilizing the PAUSE command strategically in your scripts, you can enhance the user experience and allow for better control over the output displayed by SQL*Plus. Whether it’s for reviewing intermediate results or confirming actions, the PAUSE command provides a valuable means of interaction during script execution.