Carlos Sierra's Tools and Tips

Every so often I get this question in multiple forms:

1. Where does SQLTXPLAIN (SQLT) genetares the output files?
2. I cannot find my SQLTXPLAIN output.
3. SQLTXPLAIN (SQLT) disconnected. Where do I see the error?
4. SQLT failed to execute. How do I know what happened?

SQLT main methods (XTRACT, XECUTE, XTRXEC, XTRSBY and XPLAIN) open a log file under the current SQL*Plus directory from where you are executing the SQLTXPLAIN module. This log file contains the name of the module: sqltxtract.log, sqltxecute.log, etc. So, finding the reason WHY your SQLT failed requires that you find and read that log file.

Then the original question becomes “How do I know which is my current SQL*Plus directory?”. I used to answer: “the same from where you started SQL*Plus”. But to provide a better answer now I say:

To find your SQL*Plus current directory and SQLT log, please  issue this command from your SQL*Plus session:

• From UNIX or Linux:
  • HOS pwd
  • HOS ls sqlt*.log
• From WIndows:
  • HOS dir sqlt*.log

If your SQLT method completed successfully then the log file is compressed into a ZIP file, together with the entire SQLT output.  Look then for sqlt_sNNNNN_<method><id>.zip. Where NNNNN is your SQLT statement_id (a sequence). This ZIP file is also created under your current SQL*Plus directory.