Learning Oracle PL/SQL

Conventions Used in This Book

The following typographical conventions are used in this book:

Italic

Used for the names of files and directories. It is also used for URLs, for emphasis, and for the first use of a technical term.

Constant width

Used for code examples, the names of columns, variables, tables, procedures, functions, and packages, and to show the contents of files and the output of commands.

Constant width italic

Used in syntax descriptions or other places to indicate where user-supplied (or programmer-supplied) text would appear.

Constant width bold

Indicates user input in examples showing an interaction. Also used in some programming examples to highlight code fragments explained by neighboring paragraphs.

UPPERCASE

In syntax descriptions and source code, usually indicates keywords.

lowercase

In syntax descriptions and source code, usually indicates user-defined items such as variables.

[ ]

In syntax descriptions, square brackets enclose optional items.

{ }

In syntax descriptions, curly brackets enclose a set of items from which you must choose only one.

|

In syntax descriptions, a vertical bar separates the items enclosed in curly brackets, as in {TRUE | FALSE}.

...

In syntax descriptions, ellipses indicate repeating elements.

Indicates a tip, suggestion, or general note. For example, we'll tell you if a certain setting is version-specific. ...