That sounds incorrect to me. Give it a try: --- s.sql exec dbms_lock.sleep(5) exit -- s.sh sqlplus scott/tiger @s.sql 2>&1 >/dev/null & sqlplus scott/tiger @s.sql 2>&1 >/dev/null & sqlplus scott/tiger @s.sql 2>&1 >/dev/null & echo waiting on sqlplus jobs ps -flaujkstill | grep [s]qlplus wait --- 10:47-6 > ./s.sh waiting on sqlplus jobs 000 S jkstill 10926 10889 0 69 0 - 3737 read_c 10:24 pts/0 00:00:00 /u01/app/oracle/product/9.2.0/bin/sqlplus 000 S jkstill 11344 11343 0 73 0 - 3364 pipe_w 10:48 pts/6 00:00:00 sqlplus 000 R jkstill 11345 11343 0 74 0 - 3442 - 10:48 pts/6 00:00:00 sqlplus 000 S jkstill 11346 11343 0 73 0 - 3442 pipe_w 10:48 pts/6 00:00:00 sqlplu On 8/4/05, Smith, Ron L. <rlsmith@xxxxxxx> wrote: > > Don't run them in the background (&). The second and third statements > won't run until the previous SQL finishes. > Ron > > -----Original Message----- > *From:* oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto: > oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *d cheng > *Sent:* Wednesday, August 03, 2005 4:49 PM > *To:* Oracle-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > *Subject:* shell scripting help > > Hi Listers, > I have a korn shell script which needs to run 3 sqlplus scripts in > parallel then run the final sqlplus script. Is there a way to ensure that > sqlplus scripts 1 thru 3 completes before running the final sqlplus script? > I am a newbie in shell scripting. > > -- Jared Still Certifiable Oracle DBA and Part Time Perl Evangelist