Extra spaces appending in Spooling SQL script in UNIX

Question

I am trying to generate a datafile as downlaod of a table, which is possiby in fixed format. I already have the SQL ready.

Example:

SELECT RPAD(ORGANIZATION_ID,10)||RPAD(ORGANIZATION_NAME,100)||RPAD(EMPLOYEE_COUNT,100)
FROM MY_ORGANIZATION_STATE;

I run it in a SQL Developer, and export into Excel. for sample of 50 records. Am able to fetch is correctly, and the format looks OK.

But I need to automate it, and hence we use SQL*Plus's spool command. A snippet is below.

set pagesize 100;
set linesize 10000;
set heading off;
spool orgn_output.dat;
@my_script # this has my SQL inside
spool off;

This runs without any error.

But when i tried to open the file, I could see, extra spaces are inside the file, and the layout is not as i expected!

When i run the SQL manually, and spool using PUTTY, it look file. Why does my script generates a wrong one. I have no clue, why it happens.

ANy help is greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Output:

100         Deva@Company@Sales          469
101         Deva@School                 234
102         Deva@Hospitals              245
103         Deva@Company@Finance        469

Thanks

Answer 1

Actually, I am able to recreate your issue easily. It happens when the column text is lesser. when i issue exact text size, the layout is size, and I am seeing the text inside the spooled text has tab characters instead if spaces. The pattern is not consistent too. I just researched with available command, and I found. SET TAB OFF; in sqlplus solves this.

I hope, sqlplus itself is changing multiple spaces inside into TAB. Setting TAB solved it.!

Please try that option. and let me know. Good luck!

P.S. Editting your question, revealed the bug, possibly SO, converts TAB effectively while formatting :)

Answer 2

Actually i have this kind of problem with sqlplus. After i have fixed it i would like to recommend you to try with this format of sqlplus.

1. SET TRIMSPOOL ON;
2. SET TAB OFF;

Due to the error , Because it is about the spool issue. So we just take the format of the trimspool on.