Variables can be declared within a package. A variable can be used in a SQL or PL/SQL statement to capture or provide a value when one is needed.
For example, you can define the variable in_stock with a boolean data type to verify if a product is available or not.
Variables have the following properties:
|
Property |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Name |
The name of the item which should be clear and meaningful, and should convey the item's purpose to non-technical users. |
|
Code |
The technical name of the item used for generating code or scripts, which may be abbreviated, and should not generally include spaces. |
|
Comment |
Additional information about the variable. |
|
DB Package |
Name of the database package to which the variable belongs. |
|
Data Type |
Data type of the variable. You can use the Question Mark button to display the list of Standard Data Types. |
|
Mandatory |
If selected, indicates that the not null clause is set on the variable, thus making it mandatory. |
|
Length |
Allows you to define the variable length. |
|
Precision |
Number of places after the decimal point, for data values that can take a decimal point. |
|
Default value |
Default value of the variable. |
|
Constant |
Indicates that the variable is a constant. A constant has a value assigned. For example: Credit_Limit constant REAL := 500 000; |
|
Public |
Allows you to declare the variable in the package specification and to permit use from outside the database package. A private variable (check box deselected) is only defined in the package body. |