SQL*Plus: ACCEPT

accept order_id … select * from orders where id = &order_id;

Add information prompt

accept order_id prompt "Enter order id: "

accept allows to specify the data type of the entered variable:

ACCEPT var [ NUM[BER] | CHAR | DATE | BINARY_FLOAT | BINARY_DOUBLE ]

Additionally, it allows to specify a format for the entered value:

ACCEPT var [datatype] FORMAT "…"

accept num number format '99.9'

Trying to enter value that does not match the specified format results in SP2-0598: "…" does not match input format "…"

accept start_date date format 'yyyy-mm-dd'

Trying to enter a value that does not match the specified format results in SP2-0685: The date "…" is invalid or format mismatched "…".

With the hide option, the entered text is not shown on the terminal. This is especially useful for entering passwords.

accept pw char prompt "Your secret: " hide