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Prompt Command With Ending ''-'' (Dashes) Treated As Continuation Character (Doc ID 461068.1)

Last updated on AUGUST 12, 2020

Applies to:

SQL*Plus - Version 8.1.7.4 to 10.2.0.3 [Release 8.1.7 to Oracle10g]
Information in this document applies to any platform.
This problem can occur on any platform.

Symptoms

In SQL*Plus, the PROMPT command is not handled in the manner one would normally expect if the last character on the line is a dash/hyphen (-).  It treats the dash/hyphen (-) as a continuation character when that is not the intent.

Example 1:
For example, from a SQL script the below:

prompt Some Text
prompt ---------
prompt

produces the following output:

Some Text
-------- prompt

The output intended is:

Some Text
---------
<blank line>

Example 2:

From the command prompt, the following is seen:

SQL> prompt abc
abc
SQL> prompt ---
>

Instead of:

SQL> prompt abc
abc
SQL> prompt ---
---

Cause

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In this Document
Symptoms
Cause
Solution
 Enhancement Request
References


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