oracle@mutation#cat check_database
#!/usr/bin/bash
sqlplus -s scott/tiger@tnsservice <<EOF
set heading off;
set feedback off;
select sysdate from dual;
exit;
EOF
oracle@mutation#check_database

27-JUN-06

oracle@mutation#tnsping mutation

TNS Ping Utility for Solaris: Version 9.2.0.4.0 - Production on 03-JUL-2006 07:08:19

Copyright (c) 1997 Oracle Corporation.  All rights reserved.

Used parameter files:


Used TNSNAMES adapter to resolve the alias
Attempting to contact (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = mutation)(PORT = 1521))) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVER = DEDICATED) (SERVICE_NAME = mutation)))
OK (160 msec)
oracle@mutation#sqlplus scott/tiger@mutation

SQL*Plus: Release 9.2.0.4.0 - Production on Mon Jul 3 07:08:34 2006

Copyright (c) 1982, 2002, Oracle Corporation.  All rights reserved.

ERROR:
ORA-01034: ORACLE not available
ORA-27101: shared memory realm does not exist
SVR4 Error: 2: No such file or directory

if ($db = DBI->connect("dbi:Oracle:YOUR_DATABASE","user", "passwort")) 
   { print "OK"}
else 
   { print "FAIL"}