Oracle PL/SQL Programming, 5th Edition

The GOTO Statement

The GOTO statement performs unconditional branching to another executable statement in the same execution section of a PL/SQL block. As with other constructs in the language, if you use GOTO appropriately and with care, your programs will be stronger for it.

The general format for a GOTO statement is:

GOTO label_name;

where label_name is the name of a label identifying the target statement. This GOTO label is defined in the program as follows:

<<label_name>>

You must surround the label name with double enclosing angle brackets (<< >>). When PL/SQL encounters a GOTO statement, it immediately shifts control to the first executable statement following the label. Following is a complete code block containing both a GOTO and a label:

BEGIN
   GOTO second_output;
   DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('This line will never execute.');
   <<second_output>>
   DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('We are here!');
END;

There are several restrictions on the GOTO statement:

• At least one executable statement must follow a label.

• The target label must be in the same scope as the GOTO statement.

• The target label must be in the same part of the PL/SQL block as the GOTO.

Contrary to popular opinion (including mine), the GOTO statement can come in handy. There are cases where a GOTO statement can simplify the logic in your program. On the other hand, because PL/SQL provides so many different control constructs and modularization techniques, you can almost always find a better way to do something than with a GOTO.