How to change the SQL Plus version Liquibase Enterprise uses

Applies to: 

• Liquibase Enterprise (Datical)

Summary:

Liquibase Enterprise ships with the Oracle instant client, which has SQL Plus. However, there are updates performed by Oracle to SQL Plus to fix errors. For example, being able to deploy scripts that contain Java-style comments without spaces (/*comment*/).

Since the Oracle instance client is independent of Liqubiase, it is possible to update the version used without impacting Liquibase.

Environment Conditions:

• Any version of Liqubiase Enterprise
• Any version of Oracle

How to Change the SQL Plus Version Used

By default, Liquibase Enterprise will use whatever is in the /instantclient directory. The goal will be to install another version of SQL Plus and then place the files inside the /instantclient.

Step 1: Download Oracle Instant Client

The folder created after this step needs to be accessible on the same machine that Liquibase Entperise is installed on. Ensure you have the right permission to either download the files via the CLI or have a file transfer tool to transfer the files onto the machine Liquibase Enterprise is installed on.

1. Navigate to the Oracle Instant Client Downloads page.
2. Click the instant client download for the specific platform needed.
3. Select your version and ensure you download the following two zip files:
   1. Basic Package (ZIP)
   2. SQL*Plus Package (ZIP)
4. Unzip both files and place the files into a directory called instantclient

Step 2: Rename the /instantclient folder

The original instantclient folder that ships with Liquibase Enterprise will need to be renamed for it not to be used.

1. Rename /instantclient to /instantclient_original

Step 3: Move the instantclient folder into the directory

1. Move the instantclient directory with the newer version created in Step 1 into the directory.

Step 4: Run Packager or Deploy

Once the above steps are completed, you can run either Packager or Deploy to have a changeset deployed to the database using SQLPlus. You will see the new version of the instant client (found in the SQLPlus output).

Related Article(s):

Receiving error message "SP2-0734: unknown command beginning "" - rest of line ignored" when using SQLPlus