Connecting to an Oracle Database from a Client Computer

This section describes how to use SQL*Plus and the easy connect naming method to connect to an Oracle database from a client computer. SQL*Plus is typically installed when you install Oracle Database client software. The easy connect naming method provides TCP/IP connectivity to databases without the need to first configure Oracle Net Services.

To connect to an Oracle database from a client computer using easy connect naming:

1. (UNIX and Linux only) Ensure that the required environment variables are set. At a minimum, PATH and ORACLE_HOME, must be set.

2. Do one of the following to start SQL*Plus:

   • On UNIX, Linux, or Windows, open a command window and enter the following command:

     sqlplus
     

   • On Windows, Click Start, select Programs (or All Programs), then Oracle - HOME_NAME, then Application Development, and then SQL*Plus.

3. When prompted, enter the user name followed by an at sign (@) and a connect identifier, where the connect identifier has the following format:

   "[//]host[:port]/service_name"
   

   where:

   • host is the name or IP address of the Oracle database host computer.

   • port (optional) is the TCP port number on which the Oracle Net listener listens for connections.

     If port is excluded, the standard port number 1521 is assumed.

   • service_name is one of the services defined by the database.

     If there are no service names specifically defined, then you can use the name of the service that the database creates by default. This service name defaults to the global database name, which consists of the database name (DB_NAME parameter) and domain name (DB_DOMAIN parameter).

   For example, to connect as user NICK to the database service orcl.us.example.com on the host db.us.example.com, enter the following at the user name prompt:

   nick@"db.us.example.com/orcl.us.example.com"
   

4. When prompted, enter the user password.