title: How to install SQLPLUS (Oracle DB API) on Windows 2008
body: <p>I am googling on this subject for many hours but have not been able to resolve this simple question.</p>
  
  <p>I want to install ONLY the sqlplus and oci client on my windows machine. The oracle server is running remotely. On this windows box I only want the client components including sqlplus terminal.</p>
  
  <p>I have already done the following on my windows machine</p>
  
  <p>download oracle data access components from here</p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/windows/downloads/index-090165.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/windows/downloads/index-090165.html</a></p>
  
  <p>run cmd.exe as administrator and Run the following command</p>
  
  <p>install all c:\oracle myhome</p>
  
  <p>In windows control panel set the following environment variables</p>
  
  <pre><code>ORACLE_HOME=C:\ORACLE
  LD_LIBRARY_PATH=C:\ORACLE
  LIB_PATH=c:\ORACLE
  NLS_LANG=AMERICAN_AMERICA.UTF8
  PATH=C:\ORACLE;C:\ORACLE\BIN
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>But when I run sqlplus.exe I get an error</p>
  
  <p>*<strong>*SP2-0667: Message file sp1.msb not found
  SP2-0750: You may need to set ORACLE_HOME to your Oracle software directory**</strong></p>
  
  <p>All my searches are showing me that people solve this by setting oracle_home correctly... but I think they install the full server product whereas I have only installed the client components using the command listed above.</p>
  
  <p>What am I missing? how can I get a working sqlplus without installing the full server on my machine?</p>