Oracle PL/SQL Programming, 5th Edition

Conventions Used in This Book

The following conventions are used in this book:

Italic

Used for file and directory names and for emphasis when introducing a new term.

Constant width

Used for code examples.

Constant width bold

Indicates user input in examples showing an interaction. Also, in some code examples, highlights the statements being discussed.

Constant width italic

In some code examples, indicates an element (e.g., a parameter) that you supply.

UPPERCASE

In code examples, generally indicates PL/SQL keywords or certain identifiers used by Oracle Corporation as built-in function and package names.

lowercase

In code examples, generally indicates user-defined items such as variables, parameters, etc.

Punctuation

In code examples, enter exactly as shown.

Indentation

In code examples, helps to show structure but is not required.

--

In code examples, a double hyphen begins a single-line comment that extends to the end of a line.

/* and */

In code examples, these characters delimit a multiline comment that can extend from one line to another.

.

In code examples and related discussions, a dot qualifies a reference by separating an object name from a component name. For example, dot notation is used to select fields in a record and to specify declarations within a package.

[ ]

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 ...