display format is disabled in sql * more

Similar Questions

• SQL * more the "prompt" command does not display a semicolon (;)

  In a script, I have a command prompt which wrote a useful message in a queue. The final character to be displayed by the command is a semicolon (;). The semicolon is not displayed. The same thing happens when I run the command from a SQL * over the command line. Here is the command and its output:
  
  SQL > PROMPT seeks access: SELECT * FROM < table_name > WHERE rowid = '< rowid > ';
  seeks access: SELECT * FROM < table_name > WHERE rowid = '< rowid >.
  
  Can someone tell me why the semicolon is not shown, and what I need to do to make it appear?
  
  
  Thank you
  Bill

  Try

  SQL > PROMPT seeks to access: SELECT * FROM  WHERE rowid='';;
  seeks to access: SELECT * FROM  WHERE rowid='';
  

  SQL * more is likely to interpret the single semicolon as the terminator of sql.

• SQL * more to wrap the set command - doubt

  Hello
  
  I have a stupid question on the set "WRAP" command in SQL * more. I put A500 for column F2, linesize 100 and wrap is disabled.
  The result is clear, it truncates exactly the 100th character. When I put the envelope, for the header of column F2, I couldn't see
  the '-' character the hyphen for 500 times, but only for 100 characters. With the release, with few characters of column F2, how do I
  confirm that it printed 499 seats for 2 ranks and 495 white space for the last line.
  
  Please provide details on the envelope and TRIMOUT/TRIMSPOOL in this context.
  
  Also, when I increase the linesize 1000 and desc T1, it goes for a draw, it is documented in Oracle, but why is it?
  It is possbile to get the result without changing the linesize. Thank you.
  
  SQL > column f1
  F1 COLUMN WE
  FORMAT OF 999.99
  SQL > column f2
  COLUMN f2 WE
  FORMAT a500
  
  SQL > show linesize
  linesize 100
  
  SQL > set wrap off
  
  SQL > select f1, f2 from t1;
  
  F1 F2
  ------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1.00 IS
  2.00 Y
  3.00 three
  
  SQL > wrap value on
  
  SQL > show wrap
  Wrap: lines will be wrapped
  
  SQL > SELECT F1, F2 FROM TEST1;
  
  F1
  -------
  F2
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1.00
  THERE
  
  2.00
  THERE
  
  3.00
  Three

  Hello

  845956 wrote:
  Hello

  I have a stupid question on the set "WRAP" command in SQL * more. I put A500 for column F2, linesize 100 and wrap is disabled.
  The result is clear, it truncates exactly the 100th character. When I put the envelope, for the header of column F2, I couldn't see
  the '-' character the hyphen for 500 times, but only for 100 characters.

  Exactly. If LINESIZE is 100, the maximum display width of any column is 100, even if the column is actually longer, and/or you have an explicit order of the COLUMN in this way it will be longer. Nothing after that 100 characters will be encapsulated, if the package is enabled.

  With the release, with few characters of column F2, how do I
  confirm that it printed 499 seats for 2 ranks and 495 white space for the last line.

  Save the output in a HOLD file and change the file to see exactly what it contains. If TRIMSPOOL is activated, it does not contain the final spaces.
  >

  Please provide details on the envelope and TRIMOUT/TRIMSPOOL in this context.

  See the SQL * Plus Manual:
  http://docs.Oracle.com/CD/B28359_01/server.111/b31189/ch12040.htm#i2683480

  Also, when I increase the linesize 1000 and desc T1, it goes for a draw, it is documented in Oracle, but why is it?
  It is possbile to get the result without changing the linesize. Thank you.

  Describe automatically adjusts the width of each column to use all the space available with the LINESIZE current. I don't think there is a way to change this. If you cannot change LINESIZE, then write your own query on all_tab_columns and use it instead of sql * over order DESC.

  Published by: Frank Kulash, 5 March 2012 10:20

• SQL * more wild returned data String - spaces (required) are abandoned in character data

  Does anyone know how to preserve the credibility of a string returned by using SQL * more variable substitution for use in a title column.

  I am under SQL * more script and the output of the securities. I need to find out the name of the company (in the text name of the legal entity). However, the substitution variable returns / outputs the data to the correct record, but corrupts the content of the returned string by spaces dropping (necessary)?

  In the script below, I tried several combinations to include using a technique of faking the output as a formula in Excel. It is very effective with the attack anywhere to Oracle/Microsoft problem at the output to Excel. For some varieties in solution, there are two methods to fill the Legal_Entity_Name which each produce the same corrupt result. I use method 2 because it's a little more friendly.

  The output is directed to a local directory C:... If you try to run this script... note the output in the script path is c:\Ora_scripts\Corrupt_Example.xls coil;

  In the database, EBS R12, the correct output should be: Industrias Selkirk of Mexico S de RL de CV . (IN THE SCRIPT, THE SAME SELECT STATEMENT IS USED AS THE MAIN QUERY - IT PRODUCES A CORRECT RESULT).

  However, data is corrupted to: IndustriasSelkirkdeMexico.

  Here's a testable script:

  --@C:\Ora_Scripts\Corrupt_String_Script.SQL

  trigger the echo

  went to CHECK

  moved the markup html off the coast of the coil

  Leave your COMMENTS

  Set trimspool on

  delete columns

  clear breaks

  clear the buffer

  Disable CALCULATED

  TOPIC on the value

  set PAGESIZE 50000

  Set LINESIZE 500

  NewPage 0 value

  set TERMOUT off

  -The variable definitions Section.

  Undefine g_Registration_Id

  Set g_Registration_Id = 12033;

  Cancel the Instance definition;

  Set the Instance = "XXXXXX";

  Undefine Time_Stamp;

  Define Time_Stamp = "DD-Mon-YYYY hh ';

  Undefine sv_Legal_Entity_Name

  Bnd_Legal_Entity_Name variable Char (75)

  Variable bnd_Registration_Id number

  --

  -Fill in the title and the title of the data items.

  -Company name get - method 1

  / * Start

  Select xrg. Alternate_Registered_Name in: bnd_Legal_Entity_Name

  of apps.xle_registrations xrg

  where xrg. Source_Table = "XLE_ENTITY_PROFILES."

  and xrg. Registration_Id = & g_Registration_Id;

  End;

  /

  -Transfer the value of the variable binding to the variable substitution

  Column sv_Var_1 sv_Legal_Entity_Name noprint new_value

  Select: bnd_Legal_Entity_Name double sv_Var_1;

  */

  --

  -Company name method retrieves 2

  Run: bnd_Registration_Id: = & g_Registration_Id;

  Column sv_Legal_Entity_Name sv_Legal_Entity_Name FORMAT A75 noprint new_value

  -Try in the form of Excel formula - no luck!

  -Select ' = ' ' | xRG. Alternate_Registered_Name | «"«as sv_Legal_Entity_Name»»»

  Select xrg. Alternate_Registered_Name as sv_Legal_Entity_Name

  of apps.xle_registrations xrg

  where xrg. Source_Table = "XLE_ENTITY_PROFILES."

  and xrg. Registration_Id =: bnd_Registration_Id;

  --

  Column Instance_Col by Instance NOPRINT new_value

  Select the name as Instance_COL in apps. Fnd_Apps_System;

  --

  Column Time_Stamp_Col new_value Time_Stamp NOPRINT

  Select to_char (sysdate, "Mon-DD-YYYY HH24:MI:SS) as Time_Stamp_Col

  From Dual;

  --

  the forage value off markup html on spool

  coil c:\Ora_scripts\Corrupt_Example.xls;

  TTITLE-

  Skip - 0

  'Arguments' left... »-

  Jump - 1

  Center & sv_Legal_Entity_Name-

  Jump - 1

  Right ' run: ' Time_Stamp-

  Center "it is a centered string constant;

  Jump - 2

  -Various declaration of Variables.

  the forage value off markup html on spool.

  HEAD ' < title > example string of corrupt < /title >.

  < style type = "text/css" >-

  table {background: white; do-size: 80% ;}} -

  Th {background: #ccc ;}} -

  TD {padding: 0px ;}} -

  < / style > '

  --                        Mainline query                                      --

  -REPLICATE THE SELECT USED TO DERIVE THE LEGAL_ENTITY_NAME TO THE TITLE

  Select xrg. Alternate_Registered_Name

  of apps.xle_registrations xrg

  where xrg. Source_Table = "XLE_ENTITY_PROFILES."

  and xrg. Registration_Id = & g_Registration_Id;

  -Liquidation of script.

  spool off;

  moved the html markup;

  Here is output (open in Excel):

  Arguments...
  	IndustriasSelkirkdeMexico
  	It is a centered string constant	Run: 14 October 2014 10:10:45
  ALTERNATE_REGISTERED_NAME
  Industrias Selkirk of Mexico S of CV RL

  Hello

  Just use double quotes... First test: with x.sql container

  trigger the echo

  delete columns

  TOPIC on the value

  set PAGESIZE 50000

  Set LINESIZE 500

  NewPage 0 value

  set TERMOUT off

  -The variable definitions Section.

  Undefine sv_Legal_Entity_Name

  Column sv_Legal_Entity_Name sv_Legal_Entity_Name FORMAT A75 noprint new_value

  TTITLE-

  Skip - 0

  'Arguments' left... »-

  Jump - 1

  Centre '& sv_Legal_Entity_Name ' -.

  Skip 1

  SELECT 'test ttitle' FROM dual;

  running the script, providing a ttitle (slightly different from yours ;-), I have):

  Industrias Belgica ;-) Selkirk

  ' TESTINGTTITLE

  --------------

  test ttitle

  Best regards

  Bruno Vroman.

• SQL * more report: hide accept the value in the report

  Hi all

  I created a SQL for APEX-Application report. The output is stored in an HTML file.

  Everything works great but think I want to hide in the HTML report.

  I try to describe what is the problem.

  I invite the user to put in the demand of the apex application_id:

  accept v_application_Id char prompt ' ID application:'

  In the HTML file, you receive the following output:

  Report tabled the:
  June 25, 2013, 10:06:04

  ALT 8: where application_id = & & v_application_id
  Neu 8: where application_id = 680
  

  Workspace

  Workspace	APPLICATION_ID	Application_name	ALIAS	OWNER
  Q0Q0AUFTRAGSVERWALTUNG	680	Q0Q0AUFTRAGSVERWALTUNG	F680317	Q0Q0AUFTRAGSVERWALTUNG_ADMIN

  How to hide the two lines

  ALT 8: where application_id = & & v_application_id

  Neu 8: where application_id = 680

  According to the report?

  I searched this forum and toke a glance in the documentation, but I found nothing.

  Could someone help me please?

  Oracle 11g R2

  This is the SQL script I run in SQL * more.

  
  -launch script

  accept v_application_Id char prompt ' ID application:'

  coil C:\a\APEX.html

  
  termout off Set
  SET of HTML MARKUP WE REEL WE HEAD ' < TITLE > SQL * more APEX report < /title >--
  "< STYLE TYPE =" TEXT/CSS"> <!-BODY {bgcolor: background ffffaa: ffffc6}-> < / STYLE >.
  Clear jump
  clear the buffer
  Claire calculate
  clear the column
  Disable the sql
  Set feedback off
  Set serveroutput on

  
  --
  -Report header
  --
  TTITLE left ' ' jump 1
  Select TO_CHAR (sysdate, 'dd-Mon-yyyy, hh24:mm:ss') ' report created on:
  Double;

  
  --
  -Workspace
  --
  TTITLE left col 15 ' < police = "Arial" size = "+ 2" color = "#0000FF" > workspace < / police > ' jump 1

  set linesize 300
  set pagesize 500
  Set serveroutput on

  
  column format a35 workspace
  application_id 99999999 column format
  column format a35 application_name
  column alias format a35
  column owner format a35

  Select

  WORKSPACE,
  APPLICATION_ID,
  APPLICATION NAME,
  ALIAS,
  OWNER
  of apex_applications
  where application_id = & & v_application_id;

  off Ttitle

  Select
  APPLICATION_GROUP,
  APPLICATION_GROUP_ID,
  HOME_LINK,
  PAGE_TEMPLATE,
  ERROR_PAGE_TEMPLATE
  of apex_applications
  where application_id = & & v_application_id;

  
  Set termout on
  moved the markup html off the coast of the "body" entmap wide head reel off pre
  Set of feedback on
  set linesize 80
  set pagesize 50
  off Ttitle
  Set termout on
  Set serveroutput off
  spool off
  set echo on

  -End Script

  
  

  Best regards

  Ben

  Oracle 11g R2

  Hi, Ben.

  The SQL * Plus command to stop these messages is

  SET VERIFY OFF

  Put this command anywhere before the first use of a substitution variable, for example before the order of the COIL.

  These 'OLD' and 'NEW' messages will remain deleted until you finish the SQL * most the session or cause a SET VERIFY ON command.

  If you use SQL * more often, then, when you have a few minutes, look for the SET command in SQL * more manual,.

  System of SETTING Variable summary

  and read a little about each option.  You probably don't remember everything, but you'll probably remember what kind of things can be controlled by the SET command and get a better idea of where to start to look in the future when you have a different problem.

• Choose one in SQL Developer fails - SQL * more work

  Hi all

  I have the HS to MySLQ connection works correctly and most of the requirements I have in regards to the data works.

  
  However, I "only able to test my procedures and functions in SQL * more." IN SQL Developer 4.0.0.12 there is always a problem and questioning of the results are never displayed.

  Thanks in advance for any advice.

  Sincerely

  JS

  Hello Mike,.

  I use Oracle XE 11.2.0.2 x 64 on Linux. Using the MySQL ODBC 5.3.4 connection.

  I've just upgraded the SQL Developer to version 4.0.3 (released September 2014) and the problem seems to be resolved because I'm able to query the MySQL database and get the results.

  However, there is something I don't like all the whitespace added, whether in SQL Developer 4.0.3 in SQL * more.

  Here's the query I tested:

  Select "host", "User", "Password" in "user"@MYODBC5;

• How to validate SQL * MORE connection in Unix shell script

  I wrote the following function in unix shell script to validate SQL * MORE connection and throw a user-defined message.

  function check_db_conn

  {

  output | sqlplus-s-L $User/$Password@$SID >/dev/null

  If [[$?-no 0]]; then

  echo 'credentials incorrect DB.

  FI

  }

  However, I would like to change this feature so that the user has entered a good connection and that there is a problem with TNS listener must display the appropriate message.

  Hello

  Try adding:

  lsnrctl status $listener_name > /dev/null
  if [[ $? -ne 0 ]]; then
    echo "Issue with Listener"
  fi
  

• How to add timestamp to log file in SQL * more?

  Version: 11.2.0.3
  Platform: RHEL 5.8 (but I'm looking for a solution that is independent of the platform)
  
  
  I want to add the timestamp file name of the log queued in SQL * more.
  The name of the queued log file should look like

  WMS_APP_23-March-2013.log

  I tried the 3 following methods found in the google. But none of them worked!
  
  
  I tried this

  col sysdt noprint new_value sysdt_var
  SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'yyyymmdd_hh24miss') sysdt FROM DUAL;
  spool run_filename_&sysdt_var.Log

  as suggested in
  http://power2build.WordPress.com/2011/03/11/sqlplus-spool-name-with-embedded-timestamp/
  
  and this

  spool filename with timestamp
  col sysdt noprint new_value sysdt
  SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'yyyymmdd_hh24miss') sysdt FROM DUAL;
  spool run_filename_&sysdt..Log

  as suggested in
  
  http://powerbuildev.WordPress.com/2011/03/11/sqlplus-spool-name-with-embedded-timestamp/
  
  
  and this

  column tm new_value file_time noprint
  select to_char(sysdate, 'YYYYMMDD') tm from dual ;
  prompt &file_time
  spool logfile_id&file_time..log

  as suggested in
  Creating a queue with date/time added file name
  
  
  
  None of these worked in RHEL or MS DOS. No work around?

  You are explicitly turned off the replacement of the variables of substitution with the statement "all set."
  http://docs.Oracle.com/CD/E11882_01/server.112/e16604/ch_eight.htm
  "SET DEFINE OFF disables the analysis of orders to replace variables with their values substitution."

• Reg: "#" output of data (SQL * more)

  Hi Experts,
  
  I am facing a strange problem in SQL * more.
  When you try to run the piece of code below, I get "#" for only a few lines while the ranks gives the appropriate data.

  ranit@XE11GR2>> with t as (select 1 as id from dual union all
    2                 select 2 from dual)
    3      --
    4      select id, level
    5            ,prior id
    6            ,sys_connect_by_path(id,'=>') as cpath
    7      from   t
    8     connect by level <= 2;
   
          ID      LEVEL    PRIORID CPATH
  ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
  ########## ##########            =>1
  ########## ########## ########## =>1=>1
  ########## ########## ########## =>1=>2
  ########## ##########            =>2
  ########## ########## ########## =>2=>1
  ########## ########## ########## =>2=>2
   
  6 rows selected.

  Please can someone help what can be the problem?
  
  Duplicate the thread by me (in SQL * Plus section)-https://forums.oracle.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=2524813 & tstart = 0
  (Did not reply here since yesterday. MOD please delete this thread)
  
  Thank you
  Nordine

  SQL> column col1 format a6
  SQL> select 12345678 col1 from dual;
  
        COL1
  ----------
  ##########
  
  SQL> column col1 format a10
  SQL> select 12345678 col1 from dual;
  
        COL1
  ----------
  ##########
  
  SQL> column col1 format a15
  SQL> select 12345678 col1 from dual;
  
        COL1
  ----------
  ##########
  
  SQL> column col1 clear
  SQL> select 12345678 col1 from dual;
  
        COL1
  ----------
    12345678
  
  SQL> column col1 format 999999999
  SQL> select 12345678 col1 from dual;
  
        COL1
  ----------
    12345678
  

• trying to get used to sql * more running and creating a simple procedure

  Hello all;
  
  I'm getting used to sql * more after using for a while using pl/sql developer.
  
  I am trying to create a simple procedure and run it. See my procedure below
  

  create or replace procedure test(t in varchar2(200), limit in number(30))
  begin
  select tbl_report.id from tbl_report where tbl_report.id like '|| t ||%' and rownum <= limit;
  end test;

  and then I type in run hr.test ("J", 10); to run this and then press ENTER, and it does nothing. How can I run and create a simple procedure in sql * more

  Hello

  In addition to all the good points, others have done:

  When you issue a SELECT statement in SQL * Plus (or any other front end) two things happen:
  (1) a result set, containing the results of your query, is produced, and
  (2) this result set is displayed.
  Given that these two things are always done together, it is easy to forget that they are two different things.
  In PL/SQL, you must explicitly do something to catch the result set, and you must explicitly do something else to view it (if you want to display it).

  A simple way to get the result set is to use a cursor FOR loop, to extract a line at a time and run code with this line in a record variable (called the country in the example below).
  View the results is to call dbms_output.put_line.

  Here is an example:

  CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE     test
  (       t       IN      VARCHAR2
  ,     lmt      IN     NUMBER          -- LIMIT is an Oracle keyword; best not to use it as a variable name
  )
  IS
  BEGIN
      FOR  country  IN ( SELECT  country_name
                        FROM    hr.countries
                   WHERE   country_name     LIKE t || '%'
                   AND     ROWNUM          <= lmt
                 )
      LOOP
          dbms_output.put_line (  country.country_name
                      || ' = country_name'
                      );
      END LOOP;
  END test;
  /
  SHOW ERRORS
  

  You can use variables, such as t and lmt, in the query without using dynamic SQL, as long as the variables do not have the same names as the columns in the table. In this case, t and lmt are good names; country_name or region_id wouldn't. (In fact, t is a reputable insofar as it cannot be confused with a column in the table of the country. T is not a good reputation in the sense that it does not give much information about what contains the variable, or how it is used. Why not call the variable target_name or name_a_trouver?

  You can run the SQL procedure * more like this:

  SET     SERVEROUTPUT     ON
  
  EXEC  test ('I', 2);
  

  If you issue the SET SERVEROUTPUT ON command, then you will not see the output of dbms_output. You must only issue the command SET SERVEROUTPUT ON once per session, but nothing bad happens if you do it more than once.

  When I ran the procedure as stated above, I got this output:

  Israel = country_name
  India = country_name
  

  Notice that "The Italy" does not appear, because lmt has 2.

  Do not create your own procedures, tables or other objects in the HR schema, or among all the other patterns created by Oracle. Create your own schema and create procedures and other objects in it.

• Question on the definition of the width of column in SQL * more with information recovered w SQL

  Hello
  
  Is there a way to tell SQL * more to set the width of a column with the largest width of the items in the column? (as opposed to the default which is declared in the DDL width)
  
  In other words, I would like to do something functionally equivalent to this:
  
  COL < columname > format [select max (length (< columnname >)) < thetablethatcontainscolumname >]
  
  I do above manually in two steps
  
  1. select max (length (columnname)) of...
  
  2 col columnname format a [resultofstep1]
  
  Is it possible to do in one step?
  
  Thank you for your help,
  
  John.

  Hi John

  I don't think that there is a way to do this, because this information is not known at run time (as you proved it, you must run a separate SQL query first to calculate that information - also, what happens if there are predicates, this could affect the defined result so the request will actually be performed twice). You may decide an arbitrary width for each column and set it as being wrapped/word_wrapped/truncated.

  Other that that, you should consider whther you are using the right tool for the job, SQLplus is not exactly ideal for the presentation layer stuff. Something like APEX would give you much more control over the layout and formatting.

  See you soon

  Ben

• How to hide password when calling sql, more than command promt?

  When I try to open sql more in the window command prompt and enter the command sqlplus by chain of username/password@connection followed, the password is not masked.
  How do I show * instead of display characters of password out?
  
  Also, what is the command to clear the screen: when I try to cls or clears the screen, I get an exception memory windows of somekind and the only option he must kill the command window.
  
  Advice on her work around this?
  
  Thank you very much for your time and help.

  user8848256 wrote:
  Can you please give more details on how to do not enter a password when you call sqlplus command window, as you say?

  I tried this:

  sqlplus username / @connection string--> Hit Enter: request password, it does not recognize the connection string to connect to.

  sqlplus username /--> Hit Enter: it does same thing again.asks password but gives AMT error adapter after you have entered the password.

  Leave aside the slash:
  sqlplus username@connect_string

• How to see the result in sql * more

  Hello
  IAM running a procedure to sql * more...
  I put quite a few DBMS .put line-out inside the proc for purporse debugging
  before running, I said set serveroutput on;
  the procedure is done correctly, but I don't see any output
  
  It just displays the procedure completed successfully
  
  How can I see the output
  
  concerning
  REDA

  Hello reda,.

  You are absolutely sure that the procedure actually runs one of these DBMS_OUTPUTs, that is, you are sure that alternate paths through your procedure are not taken?

  To confirm, put a DBMS_OUTPUT at the very beginning of your procedure, to see if that print, which should be if you set serveroutput on it.

• Compilation with SQL * more

  Hello world
  
  I am sure it is a simple and can someone help me:
  
  In other projects, I've always used TOAD or similar tools to compile my PL/SQL code, but with this project I have only SQL * more then when I run 'CREATE PROCEDURE '.... "I just get the message ' Warning: function created with compilation errors.
  
  I'm sure that compiling information are written in a table somewhere or maybe can be displayed directly in the SQL * more window (maybe there an option or the indicator "Compile"?) and so I hope someone can point me to a good HOWTO or give me one or two keywords that I can google under?
  
  Thank you very much
  Alan Searle

  Use

  display errors

  or user_errors

  SQL> create or replace procedure p1 is
    2  begin
    3   null
    4  end;
    5  /
  
  Warning: Procedure created with compilation errors.
  
  SQL> show errors
  Errors for PROCEDURE P1:
  
  LINE/COL ERROR
  -------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
  4/1      PLS-00103: Encountered the symbol "END" when expecting one of the
           following:
           ;
           The symbol ";" was substituted for "END" to continue.
  
  SQL> select text from user_errors
    2  where name = 'P1';
  
  TEXT
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PLS-00103: Encountered the symbol "END" when expecting one of the following:
  
     ;
  The symbol ";" was substituted for "END" to continue.
  

• Production of a file delimited by pipes using SQL * more

  This script
  
  the colsep value ' |'
  coil outfile.lst
  Select fname, lastname, midinit mytab;
  spool off
  
  produced this outfile.lst
  
  John | DOE | A
  Richard | RAO | B
  
  In other words, it protects the names containing spaces up to the width of the column, 9 characters, even if the data is of type varchar.
  
  I would like to get fields of variable length, without filling, like this
  
  John | DOE | q
  Richard | RAO | x
  
  Can I do this in SQL * more by setting system variables or the order of the COLUMN?
  
  -Chris Curzon

  Hello

  Christopher Curzon wrote:
  ...
  I would like to get fields of variable length, without filling, like this

  John | DOE | q
  Richard | RAO | x

  Can I do this in SQL * more by setting system variables or the order of the COLUMN?

  Sorry, no.
  You need to do something like this

  COLUMN  one_huge_column  FORMAT A1000
  SET     LINESIZE   1000
  SET     TRIMSPOOL  ON
  
  SPOOL   outfile.lst
  
  SELECT  fname
          || '|' || lastname
          || '|' || midinit   AS one_big_column
  FROM    mytab;
  
  SPOOL   OFF
  

  If SQL * Plus allows 10 places for fname, then fname is completed to occupy the space 10, so that the results look nice when appear it on your screen.
  Above, SQL * Plus allows to 1000 places for one_big_column, but the extra padding is away TRIMSPOOL it prevent to be written to the file.