Demonstration
Select a record whose length is less than 80 characters:
SQL> select
rpad('*', 39, '*') stars,
rpad('.', 39, '.') dots
from
dual;
STARS DOTS
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
*************************************** .......................................
Select a row that is 81 characters (2*40 + 1 character between the selected columns) causes the result to be wrapped:
SQL> select
rpad('*', 40, '*') stars,
rpad('.', 40, '.') dots
from
dual;
STARS
----------------------------------------
DOTS
----------------------------------------
****************************************
........................................
Increase the linesize:
SQL> set lines 200
SQL> select
rpad('*', 40, '*') stars,
rpad('.', 40, '.') dots,
rpad('^', 40, '^') carets
from
dual;
STARS DOTS CARETS
---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
**************************************** ........................................ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^