Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Professional Guide

Exception handling in PL/SQL

During runtime, the abnormal program flow which occurs within a precompiled program unit with the actual data is known as an exception. Such errors can be trapped in the EXCEPTION section of a PL/SQL block. The exception handlers within the section can capture the appropriate error and redirect the program flow for an alternative or final task. An efficient exception handling ensures safe and secure termination of the program. The situation without exceptions may become serious if the program involves transactions and the program doesn't handle the appropriate exception, thus ending up in abrupt termination of the program.

There are two types of exceptions—system-defined exceptions and user defined exceptions. While ...