CHAPTER 10. Language Elements

Molière

This chapter is a quick reference guide to PL/SQL syntax; it shows you how commands, parameters, and other language elements are sequenced to form PL/SQL statements. Also, to save you time and trouble, it provides usage notes and short examples.

The following sections are arranged alphabetically for easy reference:

Assignment Statement	LOOP Statement
Blocks	NULL Statement
CLOSE Statement	OPEN Statement
Comments	OPEN-FOR Statement
COMMIT Statement	Packages
Constants and Variables	PL/SQL Table Attributes
Cursor Attributes	PL/SQL Tables
Cursors	Procedures
Cursor Variables	RAISE Statement
DELETE Statement	Records
EXCEPTION_INIT Pragma	RETURN Statement
Exceptions	ROLLBACK Statement
EXIT Statement	%ROWTYPE Attribute
Expressions	SAVEPOINT Statement
FETCH Statement	SELECT INTO Statement
Functions	SET TRANSACTION Statement
GOTO Statement	SQL Cursor
IF Statement	SQLCODE Function
INSERT Statement	SQLERRM Function
Literals	%TYPE Attribute
LOCK TABLE Statement	UPDATE Statement

Each of these sections has some or all of the following subsections:

Description

Syntax

Keyword and Parameter Description

Usage Notes

Examples

Related Topics

The syntax of PL/SQL is described using a simple variant of Backus-Naur Form (BNF). BNF is a metalanguage used mainly to define the syntax of computer languages. If you are unfamiliar with BNF, do not worry. The next section tells you all you need to know.