Chapter 3
Laying the Groundwork: PL/SQL Fundamentals
In This Chapter
Using PL/SQL as a programming language
Understanding lexical program units
Benefiting from reusable PL/SQL code
Discovering PL/SQL extras
PL/SQL is a procedural language that interacts with the Oracle database. It can access all the capabilities of SQL. In addition, it allows developers to use the functionality typically associated with programming languages. For example, PL/SQL supports variables, arrays, exceptions, and flow of control statements. It allows developers to structure their code into subprograms, which include packages, triggers, functions, and procedures. This chapter introduces the important concepts you need to understand when writing and working with PL/SQL code.
PL/SQL As a Programming Language
Computer languages allow people to give instructions to computers. There are generic languages (Java or C++) as well as functional languages (PL/SQL or COBOL). Generic languages allow programmers to implement just about anything, but functional languages have a more limited scope.
PL/SQL is a perfect ...
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