1. Database PL/SQL Language Reference
  2. Preface

Preface

Oracle Database PL/SQL Language Reference describes and explains how to use PL/SQL, the Oracle procedural extension of SQL.

Topics

Audience

Oracle Database PL/SQL Language Reference is intended for anyone who is developing PL/SQL-based applications for either an Oracle Database or an Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database, including:

  • Programmers

  • Systems analysts

  • Project managers

  • Database administrators

To use this document effectively, you need a working knowledge of:

  • Oracle Database

  • Structured Query Language (SQL)

  • Basic programming concepts such as IF-THEN statements, loops, procedures, and functions

Documentation Accessibility

For information about Oracle's commitment to accessibility, visit the Oracle Accessibility Program website at http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=acc&id=docacc.

Access to Oracle Support

Oracle customers that have purchased support have access to electronic support through My Oracle Support. For information, visit http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=acc&id=info or visit http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=acc&id=trs if you are hearing impaired.

Related Documents

For more information, see these documents in the Oracle Database documentation set:

See Also:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/features/plsql/index.html

Conventions

This document uses these text conventions:

Convention Meaning

boldface

Boldface type indicates graphical user interface elements associated with an action, or terms defined in text or the glossary.

italic

Italic type indicates book titles, emphasis, or placeholder variables for which you supply particular values.

monospace

Monospace type indicates commands within a paragraph, URLs, code in examples, text that appears on the screen, or text that you enter.

{A|B|C}

Choose either A, B, or C.

Also:

  • *_view means all static data dictionary views whose names end with view. For example, *_ERRORS means ALL_ERRORS, DBA_ERRORS, and USER_ERRORS. For more information about any static data dictionary view, or about static dictionary views in general, see Oracle Database Reference.

  • Table names not qualified with schema names are in the sample schema HR. For information about the sample schemas, see Oracle Database Sample Schemas.

Syntax Descriptions

Syntax descriptions are provided in this book for various SQL, PL/SQL, or other command-line constructs in graphic form or Backus Naur Form (BNF). See Oracle Database SQL Language Reference for information about how to interpret these descriptions.