Using Other Programs within ISQL

Using the System Editor

You can invoke any editor on your system from ISQL. Use the ISQL SET command with the EDITOR option to define the editor you want to use. For example:

   isql=> SET EDITOR emacs;

   isql=> EDIT;

For complete information on using the SET command, refer to chapter 4, "ISQL Commands."

Using System Commands and Programs

You can execute operating system commands by using the SYSTEM command.

You can specify the SYSTEM command or the system interrupt character (!) before an operating system command and return immediately to ISQL as follows:

   isql=> SYSTEM date;

   Tues Aug 25  16:29:18 PDT 1987

   isql=>

You can also temporarily leave the ISQL environment to execute operating system commands, then return to ISQL by entering EXIT. For example:

   isql=> !

   $ date



   Mon Aug 24  16:28:45 PDT 1987



   $ ps

     PID   TTY     TIME   COMMAND

   11614   ttyp2   0:00   sh

   11593   ttyp2   0:00   jupmars

   11592   ttyp2   0:01   isql

   10767   ttyp2   0:00   csh

   11615   ttyp2   0:00   sh

   11632   ttyp2   0:00   ps

   

   $ exit

   isql=>

Using SQLUtil

SQLUtil is a program that lets you perform maintenance tasks on a DBEnvironment. SQLUtil commands cannot be issued directly from ISQL. You must first invoke SQLUtil from ISQL by using the SQLUTIL command, as shown here:

   isql=> SQLUTIL;

The SQLUtil banner and prompt (>>) are displayed. Then you can execute SQLUtil commands until you enter an EXIT or QUIT command. For complete information on using SQLUtil, refer to the "DBA Tasks and Tools" chapter of the ALLBASE/SQL Database Administration Guide.

Using SQLGEN

SQLGEN is a program that allows you to re-create a given DBEnvironment.

SQLGEN commands cannot be issued directly from ISQL. You must first invoke SQLGEN from ISQL by using the SQLGEN command as follows:

   isql=> SQLGEN;

The SQLGEN banner and prompt (>>) are displayed. You can then execute SQLGEN commands until you enter an EXIT or QUIT command.

For complete information on using SQLGEN, refer to the "DBA Tasks and Tools" chapter of the ALLBASE/SQL Database Administration Guide.