Functions
A function in Oracle is the same thing as it is in SQL Server: a program to return some value. In general, the functions in Oracle are scalar-valued functions. They return a value to what called the function. In contrast, stored procedures do not return anything. Table 9-4 summarizes function types in SQL Server and Oracle.
Coding functions is similar to creating procedures. Functions can take input parameters and handle errors, but they always return a value. Here is an example of a simple function that takes in some parameters and returns a value:
TABLE 9-4. Function Types in SQL Server and Oracle
SQLPLUS> create or replace function ...
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