Similar to SQL*Plus DESCRIBE command, RMAN now supports DESCRIBE.
RMAN> desc hr.jobs using target database control file instead of recovery catalog Name Null? Type ----------------------------------------- -------- ---------------------------- JOB_ID NOT NULL VARCHAR2(10) JOB_TITLE NOT NULL VARCHAR2(35) MIN_SALARY NUMBER(6) MAX_SALARY NUMBER(6) RMAN>
If you are connected using the SYSDBA privilege, you can view tables in other schemas, but with SYSBACKUP connection you will not be able to view user tables. SYSBACKUP is new privilege in 12c. [Administrative privileges began with SYSDBA and SYSOPER in 8i, then SYSASM in 11g, now SYSBACKUP, SYSDG and SYSKM in 12c]
RMAN also supports most SQL statements, without the SQL prefix (and messing with quotes around the SQL!!).
RMAN> SELECT user from dual; USER ------------------------------ SYS RMAN>