Client Side Operating System Commands

Question

Hello,
I need to invoke client side operating system commands or batch executables (e.g. test.bat) with the help of Java stored procedures and PL/SQL written in database server. My database is Oracle 10g and installed on UNIX platform, and I am trying to call Windows client commands. What do you prefer to do this?
I investigated lots of documents, but they generally refer how to call OS commands of the server on which the database is running.
Thanks.

Answer 1

It mostly depends on your particular client application how it handles return parameters from SQL or PLSQL.
One simple way would be to simply "print" out the desired client command and let it evaluate it from the client side.
As an example I use SQL*Plus:
/* declare bind variable */
SQL> VAR x varchar2(30)
/* define substitution variable (cmd)  */
SQL> COLUMN cmd new_value cmd
/*    Assign the SQL output to the declared bind variable */
SQL> BEGIN
   SELECT 'echo Hello World'
     INTO :x
     FROM DUAL;
END;
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.
/*  Assign the bind variable to SQL*Plus substitution variable */
SQL> SELECT :x cmd
  FROM DUAL
CMD                            
echo Hello World               
1 row selected.
/*  Finally let the HOST command evaluate the substution variable */
SQL> HOST &&cmd
Hello WorldHope you got the idea ...