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Function - (PL/SQL Function)

A PL/SQL function is a named block that performs a specific task and returns a value. It can be used within SQL statements or other PL/SQL blocks. It is similar to a procedure, except that it returns a value.

Syntax

The basic syntax for creating a PL/SQL function is as follows:

FUNCTION function_name (parameter1 datatype, parameter2 datatype, ...) RETURN return_type IS
    variable1 datatype;
    variable2 datatype;
BEGIN
    -- PL/SQL code goes here
    RETURN value;
END;

Here, function_name is the name of the function, return_type is the data type of the value that the function returns, and parameter1, parameter2, and so on are the input parameters to the function.

Example

Here is an example of a PL/SQL function that takes two parameters and returns their sum:

FUNCTION add_numbers (num1 NUMBER, num2 NUMBER) RETURN NUMBER IS
    total NUMBER;
BEGIN
    total := num1 + num2;
    RETURN total;
END;

Output

A PL/SQL function does not produce output on its own. The output is the value returned by the function, which can be used in other SQL statements or PL/SQL blocks.

Explanation

In the above example, we have created a function called add_numbers that takes two parameters (num1 and num2) of type NUMBER and returns their sum, which is also of type NUMBER. The function first declares a local variable called total of type NUMBER, which is used to store the sum of the two parameters. The RETURN statement is then used to return the value of total.

Use

PL/SQL functions can be used in SQL statements and other PL/SQL blocks just like any other function. They are useful for performing complex calculations or operations that are used repeatedly throughout an application.

Important Points

  • PL/SQL functions are named blocks that return a value.
  • They can be used within SQL statements or other PL/SQL blocks.
  • They can take input parameters, and their output is the value returned by the function.
  • They are useful for performing complex calculations or operations that are used repeatedly throughout an application.

Summary

In summary, a PL/SQL function is a named block that performs a specific task and returns a value. It can take input parameters and its output is the value returned by the function. Functions are useful for performing complex calculations or operations that are used repeatedly throughout an application.

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