Hi, I just started learning SQLplus (oracle) at uni. In the PC labs we use it under Windows, so use notepad as a command editor or to save queries, and all the lecture notes/workshop booklets are tailored to windows, but to access the sample databases from home (or anywhere outside that building, for that matter) we have to telnet straight into the main UNIX server.
My question is - how do I use the command editor? I'm a haphazard typist and keep making mistakes, and it's a real hassle having to type to whole command out again. I think it's wordstar or something. There are 2 lines on using it (how to start it but not how to save, exit or anything!) in our workshop book and the tutor is incommunicado...
Any pointers?

Well, I've used Oracle before in the Solaris Lab back in Uni. According to what I vaguely remember,

Suppose this is your last sql quary.

SQL > select * from dogs.

you can save your last sql quary using "save" command. You can give any name. For example

SQL > save mydogs.sql

Then your last sql quary will be saved as "mydogs.sql" text file into your home directory.

You can invoke back the "mydogs.sql" files using the "start" command.
SQL > start <filename.sql>
For example,

SQL > start mydogs.sql

To edit the .sql files in your home directory, you can use any Unix editor and then edit and save it back. And ofcourse you can also create a new file and save it. Then you can just invoke using "start" command.

SQL > start <filename.sql>

Thanks, that's a lot of help. Now I just need to know...
1. will queries I save in a unix session be accessible during a windows session, and vice versa? (I guess I could just try that one!)
and 2. How do I save and quit wordstar?? They really don't give us a lot to go on round here...)

hmm..I'm not sure about that. I've never used wordstar before. Or you can try other editors like vi or emacs if you are familier with them. If not,

Anybody out there used wordstar before?

Thanks VERY MUCH for your help, I got an A in my assessment which I couldn't have done without being able to use Oracle from home! Just got the darned exam tomorrow now...

That's cool.