Variables - ( PL/SQL Tutorial )

Variables are used in PL/SQL to store and manipulate data during program execution. A variable is a storage location in memory that has a name and a data type. In PL/SQL, variables are declared using the DECLARE keyword.

Syntax

The syntax for declaring variables in PL/SQL is as follows:

DECLARE
    variable_name data_type;
BEGIN
    -- Variable assignment and other statements
END;

Here, variable_name is the name of the variable, and data_type is the data type of the variable. The statements inside the BEGIN and END keywords can be used to assign values to the variable and perform other operations.

Example

Here is an example of a PL/SQL program that declares and uses a variable:

DECLARE
    x NUMBER := 10;
BEGIN
    DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('The value of x is ' || x);
END;

Output

The output of this program is:

The value of x is 10

Explanation

In the above example, we have declared a variable called x with the data type NUMBER. The variable is assigned the value 10 using the := operator. We then use the DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE statement to display the value of the variable.

Use

Variables are used in PL/SQL to store and manipulate data during program execution. They allow programmers to create dynamic, data-driven applications that can respond to user input and other external factors.

Important Points

• Variables are used in PL/SQL to store and manipulate data during program execution.
• Variables are declared using the DECLARE keyword.
• The data type of a variable must be specified when it is declared.
• Variables can be assigned values using the := operator.

Summary

In summary, variables are an important aspect of PL/SQL programming. They allow programmers to store and manipulate data during program execution, enabling the creation of dynamic, data-driven applications. Variables are declared using the DECLARE keyword and can be assigned values using the := operator.