PL/SQL Tables.

PL/SQL Tables:

• PL/SQL tables are temporary array-like objects used in a PL/SQL Block.
• They are modelled as database tables, but are not same.
• PL/SQL tables are very dynamic in operation, giving the simulation to pointers in ‘C’ language.
• PL/SQL TABLES use a “PRIMARY KEY” to give array like access to rows.
• PL/SQL table can be declared in the declarative part of any block. Subprogram or package.
• It is similar to an array in Third generation language.
• PL/SQL table should contain two components.

• A “PRIMARY KEY” of data type BINARY_INTEGER, that indexes the PL/SQL table.

• A column of a scalar or Record data type which stores the PL/SQL  table elements.

• PL/SQL table can increase in size dynamically as they are unconstrainted.
• A PL/SQL TABLE must be declare in two steps.

1)First we define a table type. 

2)We declare a variable of PL/SQL table as data type.

Syntax:

TYPE<Type name> IS TABLE OF 

{column type OR Table.column%TYPE OR PL/SQL RECORD} 

INDEX BY BINARY_INTEGER;

• The number of rows in PL/SQL table can increase dynamically, hence a PL/SQL table can grow as new rows are added.