Congratulations on your decision to read this book, Sams Teach Yourself PL/SQL in 21 Days, Second Edition! If you are new to the Oracle environment, this book will help you learn and master Oracle's built-in procedural language quickly. Knowledge of PL/SQL (Procedural Language/Structured Query Language) is becoming a fundamental necessity no matter which of Oracle's many products you use.
Today, on your first day, you will accomplish these tasks:
- Learn what PL/SQL is and why you should master it
- Learn how PL/SQL relates to other Oracle products
- Learn what resources you need to finish this book
- Write your first PL/SQL function
Over the remaining 20 days, you'll delve deeper into the power and capabilities of this language and learn how to leverage its power in your applications regardless of whether you are doing client/server programming with Oracle's tools (such as Developer/2000), using other front-end tools (such as PowerBuilder), or simply writing some batch jobs that run on the server.
What Is PL/SQL?
PL/SQL is a procedural language that Oracle developed as an extension to standard SQL to provide a way to execute procedural logic on the database.
New Term - If you have worked with relational databases in the past, you are no doubt familiar with SQL, which stands for Structured Query Language. SQL itself is a powerful declarative language. It is declarative in the sense that you describe the results that you want but not how they are obtained. This is good because you can insulate an application from the specifics of how the data is physically stored. A competent SQL programmer can also push a great deal of processing work back to the server level through the creative use of SQL.
There are limits, though, to what you can accomplish with a single declarative query. The real world is seldom as neat and clean as we would like it to be. Developers often find themselves needing to execute several queries in succession and process the specific results of one query before going on to the next. This leads to two problems in a client/server environment:
- The procedural logic, that is, the definition of the process, resides on client machines.
- The need to look at the data from one query and use it as the basis for the next query results in an increased amount of network traffic.
Why are these problems? The procedural logic on client machines can quickly become out of sync if the software is upgraded. It can also be implemented incorrectly, resulting in a loss of database integrity. The need to pull down large amounts of intermediate data to a client results in a long wait for the end users who must sit there staring at the hourglass while the data is transferred to their machines. The cumulative effects of a number of clients pulling large amounts of data across the network further decrease performance.
PL/SQL provides a mechanism for developers to add a procedural component at the server level. It has been enhanced to the point where developers now have access to all the features of a full-featured procedural language at the server level. It also forms the basis for programming in Oracle's continually evolving set of client/server development tools, most notably Developer/2000.
Why Learn PL/SQL?
If you are developing with Oracle products, Developer/2000 for example, the answer to this question is simple. You need to know PL/SQL because those products use PL/SQL for any procedural code. But what if you don't develop with Oracle's products? What if all you use is Oracle's database engine? Is PL/SQL of any use to you? Yes! Absolutely it is.
Regardless of the front-end tool that you are using, you can use PL/SQL to perform processing on the server rather than the client. You can use PL/SQL to encapsulate business rules and other complicated logic. It provides for modularity and abstraction. You can use it in database triggers to code complex constraints, which enforce database integrity; to log changes; and to replicate data. PL/SQL can also be used with stored procedures and functions to provide enhanced database security. Finally, it provides you with a level of platform independence. Oracle is implemented on many hardware platforms, but PL/SQL is the same on all of them. It makes no difference whether you are running Personal Oracle on a laptop or Oracle8i Enterprise on UNIX.
Regardless of what development tools you use, if you are developing in an Oracle environment, your knowledge of PL/SQL and your ability to apply it will give you a competitive advantage against those who do not have that knowledge. With PL/SQL you have the power to make your applications more robust, more efficient, and more secure.
SQL, SQL*Plus, PL/SQL: What's the Difference?
This question has bedeviled many people new to Oracle. There are several products with the letters "SQL" in the title, and these three, SQL*Plus, SQL, and PL/SQL, are often used together. Because of this, it's easy to become confused as to which product is doing the work and where the work is being done. This section briefly describes each of these three products.
SQL
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. This has become the lingua franca of database access languages. It has been adopted by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and has also been adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When you code statements such asSELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE, SQL is the language you are using. It is a declarative language and is always executed on the database server. Often you will find yourself coding SQL statements in a development tool, such as PowerBuilder or Visual Basic, but at runtime those statements are sent to the server for execution.
PL/SQL
PL/SQL is Oracle's Procedural Language extension to SQL. It, too, usually runs on the database server, but some Oracle products such as Developer/2000 also contain a PL/SQL engine that resides on the client. Thus, you can run your PL/SQL code on either the client or the server depending on which is more appropriate for the task at hand. Unlike SQL, PL/SQL is procedural, not declarative. This means that your code specifies exactly how things get done. As in SQL, however, you need some way to send your PL/SQL code up to the server for execution. PL/SQL also enables you to embed SQL statements within its procedural code. This tight-knit relationship between PL/SQL, SQL, and SQL*Plus is the cause for some of the confusion between the products.
SQL*Plus
SQL*Plus is an interactive program that allows you to type in and execute SQL statements. It also enables you to type in PL/SQL code and send it to the server to be executed. SQL*Plus is one of the most common front ends used to develop and create stored PL/SQL procedures and functions.
What happens when you run SQL*Plus and type in a SQL statement? Where does the processing take place? What exactly does SQL*Plus do, and what does the database do? If you are in a Windows environment and you have a database server somewhere on the network, the following things happen:
- SQL*Plus transmits your SQL query over the network to the database server.
- SQL*Plus waits for a reply from the database server.
- The database server executes the query and transmits the results back to SQL*Plus.
- SQL*Plus displays the query results on your computer screen.
Even if you're not running in a networked Windows environment, the same things happen. The only difference might be that the database server and SQL*Plus are running on the same physical machine. This would be true, for example, if you were running Personal Oracle on a single PC.
PL/SQL is executed in much the same manner. Type a PL/SQL block into SQL*Plus, and it is transmitted to the database server for execution. If there are any SQL statements in the PL/SQL code, they are sent to the server's SQL engine for execution, and the results are returned back to the PL/SQL program.
The important thing is that SQL*Plus does not execute your SQL queries. SQL*Plus also does not execute your PL/SQL code. SQL*Plus simply serves as your window into the Oracle database, which is where the real action takes place. Figure 1.1 illustrates this relationship.
Relationship of SQL*Plus, PL/SQL, and Oracle.
Several other tools besides SQL*Plus can serve as your window to the database. Server Manager, which has an interface similar to SQL*Plus, is one such tool, although Oracle plans to stop supporting it sometime in the future. If you have Oracle Enterprise Manager installed, you should take a look at SQLPlus Worksheet. SQLPlus Worksheet is a GUI tool that is fully compatible with SQL*Plus but is much easier to use. If you are a Developer 2000 programmer, you'll have access to Oracle's Procedure Builder—a tool designed for developing and debugging PL/SQL code. You'll read more about SQLPlus Worksheet and Procedure Builder later in this chapter.
SQL*Plus is used for most of the examples in this book because of its universal availability to developers. It is perhaps still the most widely used tool to develop, test, and create PL/SQL stored subprograms and SQL queries.
Note - In addition to Oracle's tools, several third-party vendors also have tools that can be used to develop PL/SQL code. Some of the major products in this space are
What You Need to Finish This Book
In order to try the examples and complete the exercises in this book, you will need access to
- An Oracle8i database (the Personal Edition will work)
- SQL*Plus or SQLPlus worksheet
Note - Where possible, the exercises and examples in this book have been designed to run equally well under both Oracle8 and Oracle8i. Many, especially those in the first nine days, will even run under Oracle7. However, Oracle8i contains many new features that are not available in previous releases. Days 10, 11, 12, 20, and 21, in particular, are heavily focused on the new 8i features.
If you do not currently have access to an Oracle database, there are at least two ways to get your hands on one. For a nominal cost, you can visit Oracle's online store and purchase a 30-day evaluation version of almost any Oracle product, including the database. You can get to the online Oracle Store from Oracle's home page, http://www.oracle.com. Another option is to join the Oracle Technology Network (OTN). OTN members can download developer-licensed copies of Oracle's database software at no charge. OTN members also have the option of subscribing to various technology tracks in order to get regular shipments of Oracle software CDs. You can register as an OTN member at no cost. The URL to visit is http://technet.oracle.com.
You will need these database privileges roles:
- CREATE PROCEDURE
- CREATE SEQUENCE
- CREATE SESSION
- CREATE TABLE
- CREATE TRIGGER
- CREATE VIEW
- CREATE TYPE
The following Oracle-supplied packages should be available:
- DBMS_OUTPUT
- DBMS_SQL
- UTL_FILE
- DBMS_PIPE
- DBMS_ALERT
Your database administrator can help you verify that these packages are available to you.
If you are using Oracle8i Personal Edition, you can verify the existence of these packages by logging on as the user SYSTEM and issuing the following query:
SELECT object_name
FROM dba_objects
WHERE owner='SYS'
AND object_type = 'PACKAGE';
The resulting list will show you all packages in the database owned by the user SYS. The packages named in this chapter should be in that list. Of those, the DBMS_OUTPUT is the most essential and is used throughout most of the exercises and examples to display results. The other packages are discussed only in specific chapters.
Caution - I recommend that you do not use a production database and that you create the sample tables in a schema that is not shared with other users. If you are using Personal Oracle on your own PC, you won't have a problem with this. If you are using an employer's facilities, you might want to discuss use of the database with your employer's database administrator, or DBA, as they are often called. There is nothing inherently dangerous in any of the exercises or examples, but there is always the risk that a coding mistake, such as an infinite loop, might tie up CPU or I/O resources. It's always good etiquette to minimize the potential impact of your mistakes on other developers and end users.
Getting Started with PL/SQL
By now you should have a basic understanding of what PL/SQL is and how it relates to other Oracle products. You should have access to an Oracle database environment either at work or at home. During the rest of this chapter, you will learn some of the basics of PL/SQL, and you will write your first Oracle stored function.
PL/SQL Is Block Structured
New Term - PL/SQL is referred to as a block structured language A PL/SQL block is a syntactical unit that might contain program code, variable declarations, error handlers, procedures, functions, and even other PL/SQL blocks.
The Syntax for a PL/SQL Block
DECLARE
variable_declarations
BEGIN
program_code
EXCEPTION
exception_handlers
END;
In this syntax, variable_declarations are any variables that you might want to define. Cursor definitions and nested PL/SQL procedures and functions are also defined here. program_code refers to the PL/SQL statements that make up the block. exception_handlers refers to program code that gets triggered in the event of a runtime error or exception.
The declaration section of a PL/SQL block is optional, although in practice it is unusual not to have any declarations at all. The exception handler portion of a PL/SQL block is also optional, and you won't see much of it until Day 7, "Procedures, Packages, Errors, and Exceptions."
Note - When you're defining PL/SQL functions, procedures, and triggers, the keyword DECLARE is not used. When defining a function, the function specification, or function header as it is sometimes called, begins the block. Similarly, procedure and trigger specifications begin procedure and trigger blocks. Function, procedure, and trigger blocks are covered in more detail on Day 2, "Writing Declarations and Blocks."
New Term - Any variable declarations must immediately follow DECLARE and come before BEGIN. The BEGIN and END keywords delimit the procedural portion of the block. This is where the code goes. The EXCEPTION keyword signifies the end of the main body of code, and begins the section containing exception handling code. The semicolon at the end of the block, and at the end of each statement, is the PL/SQL statement terminator, and signifies the end of the block.
Tip - Omitting the semicolon at the end of a block is a common oversight. Leave it off, and you'll get a syntax error. Remember to include it and you will save yourself lots of aggravation.
Blocks such as the one shown in "The Syntax for a PL/SQL Block" form the basis for all PL/SQL programming. An Oracle stored procedure consists of one PL/SQL block. An Oracle stored function consists of one PL/SQL block. An Oracle database trigger consists of one PL/SQL block. It is not possible to execute PL/SQL code except as part of a block.
PL/SQL blocks can be nested. One block can contain another block as in the following example:
DECLARE
variable declarations go here
BEGIN
some program code
BEGIN
code in a nested block
EXCEPTION
exception_handling_code
END;
more program code
END;
Nesting of blocks is often done for error-handling purposes. You will read more about error handling on Day 7.
Compiling and Executing a Simple Block
Are you ready to try writing your first PL/SQL code? Good. Remember that for this and all other examples in this book, you will be using SQL*Plus to send the PL/SQL code to the Oracle database for execution.
- Begin by running SQL*Plus and connecting to your Oracle database. Your initial SQL*Plus screen should look like the one shown in Figure 1.2.
- Next, type in the following lines of code from Listing 1.1 exactly as shown. Notice the slash at the end. It must be typed in as well, exactly as shown.
Initial SQL*Plus screen.
Listing 1.1 Your First PL/SQL Block
DECLARE
x NUMBER;
BEGIN
x := 72600;
END;
/Tip - The slash at the end tells SQL*Plus that you are done typing PL/SQL code. SQL*Plus will then transmit that code to the Oracle database for execution. The slash has meaning to SQL*Plus only, not to PL/SQL.
Tip - The slash character must be typed on a line by itself, and it must be the first character on that line; otherwise, it will get sent to the database and generate an error message.
After you type the slash, SQL*Plus transmits your code to Oracle for execution. After your code executes, your output should look like the following:
declare
x integer;
begin
x := 65400;
end;
/PL/SQL procedure successfully completed
The code you just executed was probably not very exciting, possibly because there was no output. PL/SQL does have some limited output facilities, and next you will learn how to produce some simple screen output.
What About Some Output?
When it was originally designed, PL/SQL had no output facilities at all. Remember that PL/SQL is not a standalone language. It is almost always used in conjunction with some other program or tool that handles the input, output, and other user interaction.
Oracle now includes the DBMS_OUTPUT package with PL/SQL, which provides you with some limited output capabilities. You will learn more about packages during Day 8, "Using SQL," but for now it's enough to know that you can use the dbms_output.put_line procedure as shown in Listing 1.2.
Listing 1.2 PL/SQL Block Showing the Use of the dbms_output.put_line Procedure
DECLARE
x NUMBER;
BEGIN
x := 72600;
dbms_output.put_line('The variable X = ');
dbms_output.put_line(x);
END;
/The dbms_output.put_line() procedure takes exactly one argument and generates a line of text as output from the database server. In order for you to see that line of text, you must tell SQL*Plus to display it. This is done with the SQL*Plus command:
SQL> SET SERVEROUTPUT ON
- Type the preceding command now. It needs to be executed only once per session, so you won't need to reissue it unless you exit SQL*Plus and get back in again.
- Next, type in the PL/SQL code from Listing 1.2. The resulting output from SQL*Plus should look like that shown below.
The variable x=
72600
Note - It is SQL*Plus that prints the server output on the screen for you to see. You must remember to execute the SET SERVEROUTPUT ON command, or you won't see any output. You also can use the SET SERVEROUTPUT OFF command to turn off output when you don't want to see it.Alternatives to Retyping
Until now, you have been retyping each PL/SQL block as you tried it. If you made a mistake, you had to type the code all over again. There are some alternatives to typing PL/SQL straight into SQL*Plus. Depending on your personal preferences, and on what you are trying to do, there are three basic ways to go about this:
The second method makes use of a SQL*Plus command to execute a file. For example, if you have a text file named test.sql with the code from Listing 1.2, you could execute that file by typing this command:The first method involves running Windows Notepad, typing your PL/SQL code (or SQL queries) into it, and then copying and pasting from Notepad into SQL*Plus to execute the desired code. This method is ideal for experimenting with short snippets of PL/SQL code and SQL queries. You can keep several related items in the same text file where you can easily call them up when you want to work on them.SQL> @c:\a\testThe resulting output would look like:The variable X =
65400Note - When you're executing a file, the default file extension is .SQL. SQL*Plus looks for the file first in the default directory and then follows a search path that you can define. How you define this path is operating system–specific and outside the scope of this book. For details, you should consult the SQL*Plus User's Guide and also your operating system documentation.Executing commands from a file like this is most useful in cases where you are re-creating a stored procedure, function, or database trigger and you have the definition already stored in its own text file.The third option involves using the SQL*Plus EDIT command to invoke your system's text editor. Under Windows, this will be Notepad unless you have specifically defined a different editor. When you issue the EDIT command, SQL*Plus will launch Notepad and automatically place in it the text of the most recently executed PL/SQL block or SQL statement. See Figure 1.3 for an example of this.Using the SQL*Plus EDIT command.After you've brought up Notepad, you can edit the PL/SQL block to your satisfaction and then exit from Notepad, being sure to save the file. When you save your file, SQL*Plus will not immediately reexecute it. It is merely placed in an internal buffer. You must use the / command, by typing / on a line by itself, in order to execute the code you just edited.Using the EDIT command works well as long as you keep in mind one important thing. SQL*Plus remembers only the most recent SQL statement or PL/SQL block. If you have been working on a PL/SQL block, and you execute just one SQL statement, that statement will replace the PL/SQL block you have been editing.Caution - Do not allow the SQL*Plus buffer to contain your only copy of a long procedure. It's too easy to enter a SQL command without thinking and wipe out the much longer PL/SQL procedure you have been developing.Which of these three methods you choose is up to you, and depends in part on your personal preferences. You are likely to find the first method, copying and pasting between Notepad and SQL*Plus, most useful during the first few chapters of this book. As you write larger PL/SQL functions and procedures, you will find yourself gravitating toward keeping each in its own file.Writing Your First Function
Perhaps one of the most useful things you can do with your knowledge of PL/SQL is to use it to write stored functions and stored procedures. Encapsulating the code you wrote earlier into a stored function enables you to compile it once and store it in the database for future use. The next time you want to run that PL/SQL block, all you need to do is invoke the function. Using SQL*Plus, type in the input code shown in Listing 1.3, which will create a PL/SQL function to return the value that was output by Listing 1.2.Listing 1.3 The SS_THRESH Function
1: CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION ss_thresh
2: RETURN NUMBER AS
3: x NUMBER;
4: BEGIN
5: x := 72600;
6: RETURN x;
7: END;
8: /Function createdCompare the code in Listing 1.3 to that in Listing 1.2. Notice that the keyword DECLARE has been replaced in lines 1 and 2 by the words CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION ss_thresh RETURN NUMBER AS. This will be explained further in Day 3. Also notice that the calls todbms_output.put_line() have been replaced by the RETURN command (line 6), which returns the value of the variable X to the caller. The only output from Listing 1.3 is a confirmation that the function has been successfully created, which is shown in line 9.Notice that Oracle has created the function. SQL*Plus indicates this by displaying the wordsFunction created.Finding Compilation Errors
You probably were able to type in the code from Listing 1.3 and create the SS_THRESH function with no errors. However, that might not have been the case. To show you how to deal with an error, Listing 1.4 contains the same code as Listing 1.3, but with one small error.Listing 1.4 The SS_THRESH Function with an Error
1: CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION ss_thresh
2: RETURN NUMBER AS
3: x NUMBER;
4: BEGIN
5: x = 72600;
6: RETURN x;
7: END;
8: /Warning: Function created with compilation errors.Unlike most compilers, which will display a listing of errors found in source code, Oracle stores any errors it finds in a database table named USER_ERRORS. If you want to see the specific details, and you may well, you need to retrieve the error listing yourself. Use the SQL*Plus command SHOW ERRORS, as shown in Listing 1.5, to do this.Listing 1.5 The SHOW ERRORS Command
1: SHOW ERRORS
Errors for FUNCTION SS_THRESH:
LINE/COL ERROR
-------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
5/5 PLS-00103: Encountered the symbol "=" when expecting one of the
following:
:= . ( @ % ;
The symbol ":= was inserted before "=" to continue.As you can see, the error listing has two columns of output. The first column contains the line number where the error occurred and also the character position within that line. The second column contains the specific error message. In this example, the error occurred in line 5 at the fifth character position. The error message tells you that Oracle encountered an equal sign when it was really expecting something else. That "something else," in this case, is the assignment operator, represented by :=.Figure 1.4 shows the SQL*Plus screen as it would look after executing Listings 1.4 and 1.5.Error listing for SS_THRESH.Tip - Typing = instead of := is a common mistake to make, especially if you also program in other languages that do use = for assignment.Displaying the Function's Return Value
Now that you have written and compiled the function, it's time to execute it and see the results. The easiest way to do this using SQL*Plus is to issue the following SQL command:SELECT SS_THRESH FROM DUAL;
SS_THRESH
---------
72600The SS_THRESH function does not have any parameters, so be sure not to add any parentheses when you call it. In other words, don't use SS_THRESH() because Oracle will return an error. The table DUALis a special Oracle table that always exists, always has exactly one row, and always has exactly one column. It's the perfect table to use when experimenting with functions. Selecting the function from theDUAL table causes the function result to be displayed.Can Even This Simple Function Be Useful?
The SS_THRESH function is a very simple function, and you might rightly wonder if something so absurdly simple can be useful. The value this function returns is the Social Security Contribution and Benefit Base, a value that changes from year to year. If you were a programmer working on a payroll system and needed to write several queries using this value, you could use a function like this toencapsulate this information. To encapsulate information means to embed it within a function so that values like this don't need to be replicated all through your code, and so that any changes can be made in one central place. There's another benefit to this approach. Your queries become more self-documenting. It's a bit easier to remember six months later what you meant when you seeSELECT * FROM employee_table
WHERE emp_salary > SS_THRESH;than if you had simply hard-coded the valueSELECT * FROM employee_table
WHERE emp_salary > 72600;Executing PL/SQL Using Developer 2000's Procedure Builder
Procedure Builder is part of Oracle's Developer 2000 development environment. It allows you to develop and debug PL/SQL program units for use in Developer 2000 applications. With Developer 2000, PL/SQL is used on the client to program the behavior behind the forms, reports, and menus that you develop. You end up with a PL/SQL engine on the client as well as on the server. A nice benefit of this is that Procedure Builder can be used to execute PL/SQL code without having to be connected to a database.Note - Many of the advanced features discussed later in this book are available only when executing PL/SQL code in the database.Starting Procedure Builder
If you have Developer 2000 installed, you start Procedure Builder by selecting Start, Programs, Developer 2000 R2.0, Procedure Builder. The opening screen is shown in Figure 1.5 and is divided into three sections.Procedure Builder's opening screen.As you can see, the Procedure Builder window is divided into three major parts. The Object Navigator window allows you to navigate through the various program units, PL/SQL libraries, and database objects to which you have access. The other two parts of the display combine to make up the PL/SQL Interpreter window. The top pane is used when debugging PL/SQL code and shows the code being debugged. The bottom pane is where you can type in and execute ad-hoc PL/SQL blocks.New Term - PL/SQL may be used to write procedures, functions, package bodies, package types, and triggers. These constructs are referred to as program units.Using Interactive PL/SQL
The PL/SQL interpreter allows you to enter a PL/SQL anonymous block and have it executed. The small block in Listing 1.2, that you typed in earlier, is one such anonymous block. You can type that block into Procedure Builder and execute it, but first you need to make one small change. The code shown in Listing 1.2 contains the following two calls to DBMS_OUTPUT:dbms_output.put_line('The variable X = ');
dbms_output.put_line(x);DBMS_OUTPUT is a package that only exists within the database server. Procedure Builder will return errors if you try to execute the code as it stands now. Fortunately, Oracle has a package similar toDBMS_OUTPUT that can be used in its place when you are executing code on a client. The name of that package is TEXT_IO, and it also contains an entry point named PUT_LINE. Take the code shown in Listing 1.2, replace the calls to DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE with TEXT_IO.PUT_LINE, and you have the code shown in Listing 1.6. This code will run from Procedure Builder.Listing 1.6 A PL/SQL Block Using TEXT_IO That Will Run from Procedure Builder
DECLARE
x INTEGER;
BEGIN
x := 72600;
text_io.put_line('The variable X = ');
text_io.put_line(x);
END;Now, you can take this code and type it into Procedure Builder's PL/SQL Interpreter. The interpreter will automatically execute the block when you finish entering the last line. The results will look like the following:The variable X =
72600Procedure Builder has been written specifically to work with PL/SQL. Unlike SQL*Plus, you do not need to enter a forward-slash to tell Procedure Builder that you are done entering a block of PL/SQL.Creating the SS_THRESH Function
Creating a function (or any other program unit such as a procedure or package) using Procedure Builder requires a bit more than just typing the CREATE FUNCTION statement into the interpreter. To create a function, you need to tell Procedure Builder that you want to create a new program unit. Do this by selecting the File, New, Program Unit menu option. You will see the dialog box shown in Figure 1.6.Creating a New Program Unit.This dialog contains radio buttons allowing you to choose the type of program unit that you are creating and also contains a textbox for the program unit's name. Choose Function, type the name SS_THRESHinto the textbox, and click OK. You will see a screen similar to that shown in Figure 1.7.Entering the code for SS_THRESH.Figure 1.7 shows the function with the code already written. Of course, Procedure Builder does not write the code for you. When Procedure Builder opens this window, it places a skeleton function in the textbox. You have to fill in the details. When you get the code entered the way that you want it, click the Compile button to compile it, and then click the Close button to close the window.To execute the function that you just created, type the following statement into the PL/SQL interpreter:TEXT_IO.PUT_LINE(SS_THRESH);When you execute this statement, Procedure Builder will execute the function and display the following results:72600Connecting to a Database
In addition to creating PL/SQL program units on the client, Procedure Builder can also be used to create and execute program units in a database. To do this, you first need to connect to a database. Use the File, Connect menu option to connect to a database. Once you've logged in, you will be able to browse database program units using the Object Navigator. Figure 1.8 shows the program units owned by the user named JEFF.Program units in the JEFF schema.To create a stored function or other program unit in the database, follow these steps:
Using SQLPlus Worksheet
If you have Enterprise Manager available, consider using SQLPlus Worksheet for the examples in this book. SQLPlus Worksheet is completely compatible with SQL*Plus, and can be used for all the examples in this book. The advantage that SQL*Plus worksheet has over SQL*Plus is in the interface. Rather than type in large blocks of code one line at a time, you can use a text editor-like interface. After you get the code entered the way that you want it, you can click a toolbar button to execute it.Executing a PL/SQL Block Using SQLPlus Worksheet
Figure 1.9 shows the SQLPlus Worksheet.The SQLPlus Worksheet.Summary
In this chapter you learned a little about PL/SQL, what it is, and why it is used. You know that PL/SQL is Oracle's procedural language extension to SQL, and that you can use it to write procedures and functions that execute on the server.This chapter also explains the relationship between PL/SQL, SQL, and SQL*Plus. This should give you a good grasp of how PL/SQL fits into the larger Oracle picture.You wrote your first PL/SQL stored function, which should give you a good feel for the mechanics of programming with PL/SQL.SQL*Plus is the tool used throughout this book for PL/SQL code examples. SQLPlus Worksheet and Procedure Builder are two other tools that may also be used to write and execute PL/SQL code.Q&A As you can see, the SQLPlus Worksheet screen is divided into two halves. The upper half is used for the entry and editing of SQL statements and PL/SQL blocks. The lower half is used to display output. The execute toolbar button, the one with the lightning bolt, is used to execute the statements that you have entered in the upper pane.There are two ways to use SQLPlus Worksheet to execute commands from a file. One way is to use the File, Open menu option to load the contents of a file into the upper pane, and then click the lightning bolt button. The other way is to use the Worksheet, Run Local Script menu option.Q & A
Workshop
Use the following workshop to test your comprehension of this chapter and put what you've learned into practice. You'll find the answers to the quiz and exercises in Appendix A, "Answers."Quiz
Exercises
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