The primary objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the PL/SQL database programming language. Major subject areas to be explored are:

• Declaring variables and complex datatypes.
• Developing logic within PL/SQL program blocks.
• Fetching data from the database into program variables.
• Returning program output to users.
• Handling program exceptions.
• Using explicit and implicit database cursors.
• Using the advanced features of nested blocks and subprograms.

• WHY USE PL/SQL?
• Where PL/SQL Program Units May Be Deployed
• The Java Alternative To PL/SQL
• STRUCTURE OF A PL/SQL PROGRAM BLOCK
• PL/SQL FROM INTERACTIVE TOOLS
• GENERATING OUTPUT

• DATATYPES
• DECLARE Example
• SPECIAL DATATYPES
• %TYPE VARIABLE
• %ROWTYPE RECORD
• TYPE TABLE

• DATA MANIPULATION
• CHAR and VARCHAR
• Numeric
• Date
• Boolean
• Comparison Operators
• Functions
• Date Calculations
• SELECTINTO
• LOGIC CONTROL & BRANCHING
• GOTO
• LOOP
• IF-THEN-ELSE
• CASE

• HANDLING EXCEPTION
• SPECIAL FEATURES
• SYSTEM DEFINED EXCEPTIONS
• USING SQLCODE & SQLERRM
• IMPLICIT CURSORS
• USER-DEFINED EX_INED
• PRAGMA EXCEPTION_INIT

• UNDERSTANDING CURSORS
• EXPLAINING THE CURSOR EXAMPLE
• DECLARE Cursor E
• OPEN Cursor Example
• FETCH Cursor Example
• CLOSE Cursor Example
• INCLUDING CURSOR PARAMETERS
• PERFORMING UPDATES FROM CURSORS
• USING FORLOOP CURSORS

• USING NESTED BLOCKS
• USING DECLARED SUBPROGRAMS
• DISPLAY_MESSAGE() Procedure Example
• GET_SPOUSE_NAME() Function Example