Re: PL/SQL v. SQL*PLUS v. SQL*REPORTWRITER

In article <25fvi5$ise_at_jac.nuo.dec.com>, secrist_at_kxovax.enet.dec.com (Strong datatypes for weak minds.) writes:
> What is the high-level difference between PL/SQL, SQL*PLUS, and
> SQL*REPORTWRITER ? SQL*PLUS seems like it could be a pretty
> good reporter writer on its own from my cursory reading.
>
SQL*Plus allows for queries and output to a print file, but does NOT have any sophisticated programming logic, loop control, etc.

PL/SQL has added programming logic needed to make it a full retrieval and manipulation language but, at least in the current version, does not have the ability to output directly to a print file. Typically, this means that if you are using PL/SQL to generate reports, you have to create (or have available) a work table to hold the formatted output and then run a separate SQL*Plus script to extract from the table into a print file. The language is very flexible in its utilization and ease of use, but the intermediate table requirement is a pain.

SQL*Reportwriter is fairly easy to utilize, but not nearly as flexible as PL/SQL. However, it DOES have the capability of direct output to a print file.

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