ALTER SESSION in sql script produces strange results

Question

Why would "alter session set NLS_DATE_FORMAT" interfere with the operation of a sql script?
First, the script without the ALTER SESSION:
SQL> !cat doit1.sql
--alter session set NLS_DATE_FORMAT = "DD-MON-YYYY"
set pagesize 99
set trimspool on
col BIRTH_MONTH for a11
break on BIRTH_MONTH skip 1
spo doit.txt
prompt My Membership
set feedback off heading off
select 'As of ' || sysdate from dual;
set heading on
select count(*) from dual;
spool offAnd its execution:
SQL> @doit1
My Membership
As of 14-JAN-10
  COUNT(*)
1All's well with the world. Now let's throw in the ALTER SESSION:
SQL> !cat doit2.sql
alter session set NLS_DATE_FORMAT = "DD-MON-YYYY"
set pagesize 99
set trimspool on
col BIRTH_MONTH for a11
break on BIRTH_MONTH skip 1
spo doit.txt
prompt My Membership
set feedback off heading off
select 'As of ' || sysdate from dual;
set heading on
select count(*) from dual;
spool offAnd its execution
SQL> @doit2
set pagesize 99
ERROR at line 2:
ORA-00922: missing or invalid option
  COUNT(*)
1
not spooling currently
SQL> Doesn't like the SET commands (I've played around with serveral, it doesn't like any of them) and ignores the opening SPOOL command
I first noticed this with a 10.2.0.1 client (windows) connected to a 10.2.0.4 database (HP-UX). Confirmed on my laptop VM lab, 10.2.0.4 under OEL5, client and db on same VM.

Answer 1

Chris Poole wrote:
You're just missing the trailing ';' at the end of the alter session line. Add this, it all works.DOH! (in my best Homer Simpson imitation!)