Q:

how to execute sql command from command line using NO script file?

is there any way to execute update contact set email_address='foo@bar.com'; using isql (firebird) on linux?
I don't want to use -i switch to specify sql script file. And I cannot use interactive mode as I will run the sql command from php script.

A:

Most sensible SQL shells do The Right Thing when fed commands on the standard input so you should be able to just echo your SQL into isql:
echo "update contact set email_address='foo@bar.com';" | /path/to/isql --your-favorite-switches

