SQLCONNECT specifies connection parameters that are used by
several of the database administration utilities, such as Interactive
SQL, dbinfo, and dbstop, when
connecting to a database server.
The SQLCONNECT environment variable is optional, and is not
set by the installation program.
This string is a list of parameter settings, of the form parameter=value, delimited
by semicolons.
The number sign “#” is an alternative
to the equals sign; use it if you are setting the connection parameters
string in the SQLCONNECT environment variable. Using “=” inside
an environment variable setting is a syntax error. The = sign is
allowed only in Windows.
Note: Specifying connection parameters in SQLCONNECT rather
than on the command line offers greater security on UNIX systems.
It prevents users from being able to display your password with ps -ef.
This is especially useful if you run Interactive SQL or other utilities
in quiet mode. Note that specifying connection parameters in SQLCONNECT
rather than on the command line is more secure, but is not entirely
secure. Because the password is in plain text, it possible for hostile
action to extract it from the environment context. For more information, see System Administration Guide: Volume 1 > Connection and Communication Parameters > Connection Parameters.