Re: Inserting multiple rows in sqlplus

Raj Kotaru wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> In sqlplus, I can insert a single row using:
>
> insert into employee
> (name, salary, hiredate)
> values
> ('xyz', '86378', sysdate);
>
> Is there a modification of the insert command that will allow me to
> insert more than one row into a table without having to resort to
> multiple "insert into ..." statements?
>
> For example, can I insert two rows via something that lloks like:
>
> insert into employee
> (name, salary, hiredate)
> values
> {
> ('xyz', '86378', sysdate),
> ('abc', '84249', sysdate-1)
> };
>
> Here I am assuming that { } encloses all valid rows, with () enclosing
> a single row within the surrounding {}.
>
> I do not want to use the sql loader, PL-SQL, or SQL-PLUS constructs
> like functions, scripts, and stored procedures.
>
> Thanks
> Raj

Oracle does not support what you ask, and AFAIk neither does the SQL standard. (Corrections appreciated if I'm wrong here.)

I'm not sure why *you* want this, although I can think of several reasons. Nor do I know your environmnt, your Oracle version, your operating system version, or your data source. I'd certianly be interested in the reasoning behind your restrictions about SQL Loader, etc.

Some alternate ways I've used to do something like this:

1. With a flat file and Oracle9i, consider External Tables;
2. If data is in the database already, use CTAS;
3. Create a SQL Plus script to contains all inserts. If possible (incredibly easy in unix/linux), generate the script using sed, awk or perl. Cut size by inserting against a view that maps only to the columns you want, eliminating the column spec.

<rant>
While there may be legit reasons for the restrictions, you are effectively increasing the cost of your Oracle investment. This is similar to saying "though shalt not use the power seats, power windows or radio in the car - the money that was spent on those features is wasted."
</rant> Received on Fri Jan 23 2004 - 06:01:59 CET