Re: DBMS_PIPE - System Call

Eric Herbert wrote:
>
> I've seen a lot of posts about DBMS_PIPE and using them to call
> C programs. However, I want to make a unix command 'happen' from a
> stored procedure. Specifically, I want to check if a file exists on
> the server and if so, delete it. I could create a script and run it,
> but I still need to issue an "execute" command in PL/SQL.
>
> How do I send unix commands to the server from a stored procedure?
>
> Do I use DBMS_PIPE or is there a different tool for this?
> I appreciate any advice you might be able to lend me.
>
> eth
>
> ***************************************************** o======o
> * Eric Herbert * | \\|
> * ---- ------- * < <<<\ ||
> * eriche_at_elroy.gr.hp.com * (0-0-) ||
> * * \^_/ ||
> * Creator of fine Spaghetti Code and * /()\ ||
> * Elusive Documentation. If you don't understand * ( ) /||\
> * it- why you probably weren't there when I wrote * || o***
> * it, were you? * // /||||\
> ***************************************************** ||||||||Eric,

The reason you see so many DBMS_PIPE threads is that's the only way to invoke an O/S command from PL/SQL that is available out of the box. Oracle does offer a product called the Procedural Development Kit for custom development using PL/SQL and 3GLs like C, but its a purchased item.

FYI - in 7.3, Oracle introduces the DBMS_UTL package that will allow you to access O/S files from PL/SQL, which may be what you're looking for.

-- 
Rich Woods
Technical Field Support Specialist, Oracle Corporation, USA
The above statements and opinions are my own and do not
necessarily represent those of Oracle Corporation.