Beginners guide Oracle PL/SQL Part 2

This course  is second part of  Beginners guide Oracle PL/SQL. To fully benefit from this course, please ensure you have completed Part 1.

What you will learn.

Cursors

Cursors in PL/SQL are used to fetch multiple rows from a database query. They act as pointers to the result set of a query. There are two types of cursors: implicit and explicit. Implicit cursors are automatically created by PL/SQL for single-row queries, while explicit cursors are defined and controlled by the programmer. Explicit cursors offer more control, allowing operations like opening, fetching, and closing the cursor. Cursors with parameters allow dynamic data retrieval based on input values.

Functions

Functions in PL/SQL are subprograms designed to perform specific tasks and return a single value. They are used for modularity, code reuse, and simplifying complex operations. Functions can take input parameters and must return a value using the RETURN statement. They are beneficial for calculations, data manipulations, and other tasks where a result is needed. Functions can be called from SQL statements, PL/SQL blocks, or other PL/SQL programs.

Stored Procedures

Stored procedures are similar to functions but are designed to perform a series of operations and may not necessarily return a value. They can have input, output, and input/output parameters. Stored procedures are useful for encapsulating business logic, ensuring code reuse, and improving performance by reducing network traffic. They support error handling through exception blocks, making them robust for handling complex operations. Stored procedures are executed using the CALL statement and can perform a wide range of tasks, including data manipulation and transaction management.

These three elements—cursors, functions, and stored procedures—are fundamental components of PL/SQL, enabling efficient database operations and enhancing the functionality of PL/SQL programs