Now that we have a 12cr1 database Up and running, it is time to connect to the database and start working. I prefer using the oracle instant client and sqlplus from my Ubuntu Linux desktop to connect to the 12cr1 database. Below are the steps to install, configure and use the 12cr1 instant client on a Ubuntu Linux 64 bit desktop and connect to the oracle 12cr1 database.

Download and Install Instant Client 12cr1

From the “Instant Client Downloads for Linux x86-64” page, download the highlighted zip files. This gets you the basic files needed for Sql*Net connection to the 12cr1 database and also the sqlplus executable.

Unzip the files to a directory on your desktop. (In my case i unzipped the files to the directory /u01/Rk/Apps/oracle/instantclient_12_1).

Export the required environment variables

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/u01/Rk/Apps/oracle/instantclient_12_1
export ORACLE_HOME=/u01/Rk/Apps/oracle/instantclient_12_1
export PATH=$ORACLE_HOME:$PATH

Invoke Sqlplus to connect to the CDB

sqlplus system/manager@192.168.56.101:1521/rkcdb1

SQL> sho con_id

CON_ID
------------------------------
1
SQL> sho con_name

CON_NAME
------------------------------
CDB$ROOT
SQL>

Invoke Sqlplus to connect to the PDB

sqlplus system/manager@192.168.56.101:1521/rkpdb1

SQL> sho con_id

CON_ID
------------------------------
3
SQL> sho con_name

CON_NAME
------------------------------
RKPDB1
SQL>

There are some very helpful tutorials in the Oracle Learning Library to get started with the new 12c database features.