Functions are used when when a "value" must be returned. The quotes are around value
because the return type is not necessarily scalar. Under most circumstances a
function only returns one value. I believe in sticking to that rule, although Oracle
does not always:
Here's a line from the package header for dbms_standard:
function dictionary_obj_name_list (object_list out ora_name_list_t)
return binary_integer;
The function returns both a binary integer and a table of varchar2(64)'s.
Functions are called in pl/sql using the following format <variable> :=
function_name(<parameter_list>);
The parameters are nearly always "in" types. Functions which return a datatype which
can be handled by sqlplus and meet
the restrict_references criteria can be invoked from sqlplus thus
select <function_name>(<column_name>) from <table_name>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procedures are used when you want more than one value to be returned or no values at
all.
Packages are collections of procedures, functions, variable definitons, type
definitions etc. It is a good idea to place your functions and procedures in a
package.
A cursor is how Oracle, a set based database communicates with record oriented
programming languages. They are not really related to functions, procedures, or
packages.
Ian MacGregor
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 2:17 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
I am a bit confused as to when to use the following. I
cannot seem to find any definitive rules.
- function
- cursor
- procedure
- package
If someone can point me to a white paper, or whatever,
that defines the rules for their usage I would be most
thankful.
Thanks,
Ken Janusz, CPIM
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