PL/SQL and
Chapter 10
Selected Single-Row Functions
Jason C. H. Chen, Ph.D.
Professor of MIS
School of Business
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA 99258 USA
chen@jepson.gonzaga.edu
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
1
Objectives
• Use the UPPER, LOWER, and INITCAP functions to change the case
of field values and character strings
• Manipulate character substrings with the SUBSTR and INSTR
functions
• Nest functions inside other functions
• Determine the length of a character string using the LENGTH function
• Use the LPAD and RPAD functions to pad a string to a certain width
• Use the LTRIM and RTRIM functions to remove specific characters
strings
• Substitute character string values with the REPLACE and
TRANSLATE functions
• Round and truncate numeric data using the ROUND and TRUNC
functions
• Return the remainder only of a division operation using the MOD function
• Use the ABS function to set numeric values as positive
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
2
Objectives (continued)
• Use the POWER function to raise a number to a specified power
• Calculate the number of months between two dates using the
MONTHS_BETWEEN function
• Manipulate date data using the ADD_MONTHS, NEXT_DAY,
LAST_DAY, and TO_DATE functions
• Differentiate between CURRENT_DATE and SYSDATE values
• Extend pattern matching capabilities with regular expressions
• Identify and correct problems associated with calculations involving
NULL values using the NVL function
• Display dates and numbers in a specific format with the TO_CHAR
function
• Perform condition processing similar to an IF statement with the
DECODE function
• Use the SOUNDEX function to identify character phonetics
• Convert string values to numeric with the TO_NUMBER function
• Use the DUAL table to test functions
• Learn PL/SQL – Procedure Language / SQL
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
3
Refresh the Database
• 1. Run the following script file
– Start c:\oradata\chapter10\JLDB_Build_10.sql
• 2. Download data file, Ch10queries.sql
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
4
Functions Must Study and Understand
The following functions are the “minimum” to study and
understand:
• 1. Case conversion functions
• 2. character manipulation functions
– SUBSTR, INSTR, LENGTH, LTRIM, RTRIM,
REPLACE, CONCAT
• 3. ALL Number functions
• 4. DATE functions
– MONTH_BETWEEN, ADD_MONTHS, TO_DATE, SYSDATE
• 5. Other functions
– NVL, TO_CHAR, CASE, TO_NUMBER, DUAL table
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
5
Refresh the Database
• 1. Go to Blackboard and download (at least
three) data files from Oracle chapter10 and
save under c:\oradata\chapter10\
– Please note that there is a PL/SQL data file of
“Ch10 Queries for PL SQL.sql”
• 2. Run the following script file
– Start c:\oradata\chapter10\JLDB_Build_10.sql
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
6
Manipulating Character
Strings with PL/SQL
• To change case, use UPPER, LOWER, INITCAP
• INSTR function searches a string for a specific
substring and return the starting position
start_position := INSTR(original_string, substring,
starting_pos, occurrence#);
– /* the first two arguments are required, the last two
arguments are optional */
• SUBSTR function extracts a specific number of
characters from a character string, starting at a given
point:
extracted_string := SUBSTR(string_variable,
starting_point, number_of_characters);
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
7
Case Conversion Functions
• Case conversion functions alter the case of
data stored in a column or character string
– Used in a SELECT clause, they alter the
appearance of the data in the results
– Used in a WHERE clause, they alter the value
for comparison
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
8
LOWER Function
• Used to convert characters to lowercase letters
Figure 10-1 LOWER function in the WHERE clause
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
9
LOWER Function (cont.)
• Used to convert characters to mixed case
Figure 10-2 LOWER function in the SELECT and WHERE clauses
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
10
UPPER Function
• Used to convert characters to uppercase letters
• It can be used in the same way as the LOWER
function
– To affect the display of characters, it is used in
a SELECT clause
– To modify the case of characters for a search
condition, it is used in a WHERE clause
• The syntax for the UPPER function is UPPER(c)
– Where c is the character string or field to be
converted into uppercase characters
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
11
UPPER Function – manage user input
-- chapter 10, Figure 10-3; p.335
SELECT firstname, lastname
FROM customers
WHERE lastname = UPPER('&Custval');
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Figure 10-3 Using UPPER function to manage user input
12
INITCAP Function
• Used to convert character strings to mixed case,
which each word beginning with a capital letter.
Figure 10-4 INITCAP function in a SELECT clause modifies the display
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
13
Character Manipulation Functions
• Character manipulation functions manipulate
data by extracting substrings, counting the
number of characters, replacing strings, etc.
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
14
SUBSTR Function
• Used to return a substring, or portion of a string
SUBSTR (c, p, l)
Where
c: the character
string
p: the beginning
character position,
l: the length of
the string to
return in the
query result.
-p: backward “p”
position
Figure 10-6 Comparison of SUBSTR arguments
-1
-3
-2
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
15
INSTR Function
start_position := INSTR(original_string, substring, starting_pos, occurrence#);
/* the first two arguments are required, the last two arguments are optional */
10
14
9
5
10
9
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Why?
Figure 10-7 Comparison of INSTR arguments
16
What is PL/SQL?
 Procedural programming Language
 Uses detailed instructions
 Processes statements sequentially
 Combines SQL commands with
procedural instructions
 Used to perform sequential
processing using an Oracle database
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
17
Why PL/SQL?
ORACLE
(programming language
components)
SQL
PL/SQL
D.B.
GUI
Components
(reports, forms,
graphics etc.)
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Using SQL Commands in PL/SQL
Programs
Category
Purpose
Date Definition Create/change
Language (DDL) the database
structure
Examples of
Commands
CREATE, ALTER,
DROP, GRANT,
REVOKE
Data
Manipulation
Language
(DML)
Query or change SELECT, INSERT,
UPDATE, DELETE
the data in the
database tables
Transaction
control
commands
Organize DML
commands into
logical
transactions
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
COMMIT,
ROLLBACK,
SAVEPOINT
Can Be Used
in PL/SQL
No
Yes
Yes
19
Fundamentals of PL/SQL
• Full-featured programming language
• Execute using Oracle 11g utilities
– SQL*Plus
– Forms Builder
•
•
•
•
An interpreted language
Semicolon ends each command
Reserved words
Type in editor, execute in SQL*Plus
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Table: PL/SQL command capitalization styles
Item Type
Capitalization
Example
Reserved Words
Uppercase
BEGIN, DECLARE
Built-in functions
Uppercase
COUNT, TO_DATE
Predefined data types
Uppercase
VARCHAR2, NUMBER
SQL commands
Uppercase
SELECT, INSERT
Database objects
Lowercase
student, fid
Variable names
Lowercase
s_first_name, faculty_id
Mixed case
Student_F_Name, Faculty_ID
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Identifiers and Variables:
Rules for Names and Properties
• From 1 to 30 characters
• Only alphanumeric characters, and special
•
characters ($ _ #)
Must begin with a letter and can not contain
blank spaces or hyphens
And sure they cannot be reserved words
(e.g., BEGIN)
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Variables and Data Types
• Variables
– Used to store numbers, character strings, dates,
and other data values
– Avoid using keywords, table names and column
names as variable names
– Must be declared with data type before use:
variable_name data_type_declaration;
e.g., current_s_id NUMBER(6);
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Language Elements:
PL/SQL Data Types
• Scalar
(we will focus on this type)
– References a single value
• Composite
– References a data structure
• Reference
– References a specific database item (e.g., %TYPE,
%ROWTYPE)
• LOB
– References a large binary object (e.g., graphs, video)
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Scalar Data Types
• Represent a single value
– Database scalar data types:
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Scalar Data Types (cont.)
• Represent a single value
– Non-database scalar data types:
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Tables: PL/SQL data types
Data Type
Usage
Sample Declaration
VARCHAR2
Variable-length character
strings
student_name
VARCHAR2(30);
CHAR
Fixed-length character
strings
student_gender CHAR(1);
NUMBER
Floating, fixed-point, or
integer number
current_price NUMBER(5,2);
LONG
Text, up to 32,760 bytes
evaluation_summary LONG;
DATE
Dates
todays_date DATE;
BOOLEAN
True/False values
order_flag BOOLEAN;
%TYPE
Assumes the data type of a
database field
c_address
customer.customer_address%; TYPE
%ROWTYPE
cust_order_record
Assumes the data type of a
database record (entire row) cust_order% ROWTYPE;
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
27
Block Structure
PL/SQL is a “block
structured” language.
That just means everything
you do is done in terms of
blocks of code.
All PL/SQL blocks share
the same basic structure.
Comments:
Not executed by interpreter
Enclosed between /* and */
On one line beginning with -Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
-- Figure 4-1; p.195
DECLARE /”HEADER”
<variable declarations>;
BEGIN
<body executable code>;
EXCEPTION
<exception/error
handling code>;
END;
28
Comment Statements
There are two types of comments in PL/SQL:
Single-line and multi-line.
Single Line:
x := 4; -- assign 4 to the variable x
Multi-line:
/* Assign 4 to
the variable x */
x := 4;
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Assignment Statements
• Assigns a value to a variable
variable_name := value;
• Value can be a literal:
current_s_first_name := 'John';
• Value can be another variable:
current_s_first_name := s_first_name;
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
30
Executing a PL/SQL Program in SQL*Plus
• Create program in text editor
(using Notepad)
• Paste into SQL*Plus
window
-- PL/SQL #1: *** with syntax error ***
DECLARE
todays_date DATE;
BEGIN
•
todays_date = SYSDATE;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Today''s date is ');
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(todays_date);
•
END;
-- PL/SQL #2
•
DECLARE
todays_date DATE;
BEGIN
todays_date := SYSDATE;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Today’’s date is ');
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(todays_date);
END;
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Press Enter, type
enter to execute
/ then
SET SERVEROUTPUT ON
SIZE 4000
SET SERVEROUTPUT ON
31
-- PL/SQL #3a (ok for this version)
--PL/SQL program to display the current date
DECLARE
todays_date DATE;
BEGIN
todays_date := SYSDATE;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Today''s date is ' || (todays_date));
END;
--PL/SQL#3b program to display the current date
-- CURRENT_DATE returns the current date and time from the user session (from
-- client software and it may be in a different location from the server database (p.355)
DECLARE
todays_date DATE;
BEGIN
todays_date := CURRENT_DATE;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Today''s date is ' || TO_CHAR(todays_date));
END;
What is the difference between these two outputs?
How can we display all “Date” information (eg., NOVEMBER 12,
12:25:58 P.M. 2013)?
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
32
--PL/SQL#3C program to display the current date
--see Table 10-4 (p.366) for more details
DECLARE
todays_date DATE;
BEGIN
todays_date := SYSDATE;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Today''s date is ' ||
TO_CHAR(todays_date, 'MONTH DD, HH:MI:SS A.M. YYYY'));
END;
Today's date is NOVEMBER 09, 09:25:58 A.M. 2015
--PL/SQL#3d program to display the current date
DECLARE
todays_date DATE;
BEGIN
todays_date := SYSDATE;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Today''s date is ' ||
TO_CHAR(todays_date, 'Day, MM-DD-YYYY, HH24:MI:SS'));
END;
Today's date is Thursday , 11-09-2015, 09:42:03
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33
--PL/SQL#4 program to display the current date
DECLARE
todays_date DATE;
current_day VARCHAR2(9);
current_day_length BINARY_INTEGER;
BEGIN
todays_date := SYSDATE;
-- extract day portion from current date, and trim trailing blank spaces
current_day := TO_CHAR(todays_date, 'DAY');
current_day := RTRIM(current_day);
-- convert day to mixed case letters with initial letter capitalized
current_day := INITCAP(current_day);
-- determine length of day's character string
current_day_length := LENGTH(current_day);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Today''s date is ' || current_day || ', ' ||
TO_CHAR(todays_date));
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('The length of the word ' || current_day
|| ' is ' || TO_CHAR(current_day_length) || ' characters.');
END;
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
34
Data Type Conversion Functions
Function
TO_DATE
Description
Converts a character string
to a date
TO_NUMBER Converts a character string
to a number
TO_CHAR
if today is:
Tuesday,
October 15,
2013
Example
TO_DATE(‘07/14/01’,’MM/DD/YY’);
TO_NUMBER(‘2’);
Converts either a number or TO_CHAR(2);
a date to a character string
TO_CHAR(SYSDATE);
return ‘October’
TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, ‘MONTH’);
return ‘Tuesday’
TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, ‘DAY’);
return ‘15’
TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, ‘DD’);
return ‘11:30 AM’
TO_CHAR(curr_time, ‘HH:MI AM’);
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
35
Debugging PL/SQL Programs
• Syntax error:
– Command does not follow the guidelines of the
programming language
– Generates compiler or interpreter error
messages
• Logic error:
– Program runs but results in an incorrect result
– Caused by mistake in program
RUN-TIME
 _____
_______ error
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36
-- PL/SQL#5a Program with a logic error and debugging statements
DECLARE
Call ID department is: MIS
curr_call_id VARCHAR2(30) := 'MIS 101'; Original string value: MIS 101
blank_space NUMBER(2);
Start position: 4
curr_dept VARCHAR2(30);
Number of characters: 3
Course Number is: 10
curr_number VARCHAR2(30);
BEGIN
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed
blank_space := INSTR(curr_call_id,' ');
curr_dept := SUBSTR(curr_call_id, 1, (blank_space - 1));
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Call ID department is: ' || curr_dept);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Original string value: ' || curr_call_id);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Start position: ' || blank_space);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Number of characters: ' ||
(LENGTH(curr_call_id) - blank_space));
curr_number := SUBSTR(curr_call_id, blank_space,
(LENGTH(curr_call_id) - blank_space));
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Course Number is: ' || curr_number);
END;
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
37
-- PL/SQL#5b Program with a correct logic
Call ID department is: MIS
DECLARE
curr_call_id VARCHAR2(30) := 'MIS 101'; Original string value: MIS 101
Start position: 4
blank_space NUMBER(2);
Number of characters: 3
curr_dept VARCHAR2(30);
Course Number is: 101
curr_number VARCHAR2(30);
BEGIN
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed
blank_space := INSTR(curr_call_id,' ');
curr_dept := SUBSTR(curr_call_id, 1, (blank_space - 1));
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Call ID department is: ' || curr_dept);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Original string value: ' || curr_call_id);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Start position: ' || blank_space);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Number of characters: ' ||
(LENGTH(curr_call_id) - blank_space));
curr_number := SUBSTR(curr_call_id, (blank_space+1),
(LENGTH(curr_call_id) - blank_space));
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Course Number is: ' || curr_number);
END;
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
38
Other Functions
• NVL
• NVL2
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39
NVL and NVL2
1. Which function should be used to replace a
NULL value with a numeric value for
calculation purposes?
NVL
ANSWER: _______
2. A NULL value can be replaced by a text
message, while displaying a different message
if there is not a NULL value, using which
function?
NVL2
ANSWER: ______
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
40
-- chapter 10, Figure 10-33; p.360
SELECT title, retail, discount, retail-discount "Sales
price“ FROM books;
TITLE
RETAIL
DISCOUNT Sales price
------------------------------ ---------- ---------- ----------BODYBUILD IN 10 MINUTES A DAY
30.95
REVENGE OF MICKEY
22
BUILDING A CAR WITH TOOTHPICKS
59.95
3
56.95
DATABASE IMPLEMENTATION
55.95
COOKING WITH MUSHROOMS
19.95
HOLY GRAIL OF ORACLE
75.95
3.8
72.15
HANDCRANKED COMPUTERS
25
E-BUSINESS THE EASY WAY
54.5
PAINLESS CHILD-REARING
89.95
4.5
85.45
THE WOK WAY TO COOK
28.75
BIG BEAR AND LITTLE DOVE
8.95
HOW TO GET FASTER PIZZA
29.95
1.5
28.45
HOW TO MANAGE THE MANAGER
31.95
SHORTEST POEMS
39.95
14 rows selected.
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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-- chapter 10, Figure 10-34; p.361
SELECT title, retail, discount, retail-NVL(discount, 0) "Sales
price“ FROM books;
TITLE
RETAIL
DISCOUNT Sales price
------------------------------ ---------- ---------- ----------BODYBUILD IN 10 MINUTES A DAY
30.95
30.95
REVENGE OF MICKEY
22
22
BUILDING A CAR WITH TOOTHPICKS
59.95
3
56.95
DATABASE IMPLEMENTATION
55.95
55.95
COOKING WITH MUSHROOMS
19.95
19.95
HOLY GRAIL OF ORACLE
75.95
3.8
72.15
HANDCRANKED COMPUTERS
25
25
E-BUSINESS THE EASY WAY
54.5
54.5
PAINLESS CHILD-REARING
89.95
4.5
85.45
THE WOK WAY TO COOK
28.75
28.75
BIG BEAR AND LITTLE DOVE
8.95
8.95
HOW TO GET FASTER PIZZA
29.95
1.5
28.45
HOW TO MANAGE THE MANAGER
31.95
31.95
SHORTEST POEMS
39.95
39.95
14 rows selected.
What is the difference between these two versions?
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
42
SELECT order#, orderdate, shipdate
FROM orders
WHERE orderdate >= '03-APR-09';
ORDER#
---------1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
ORDERDATE
--------03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
SHIPDATE
--------05-APR-09
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
12 rows selected.
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43
-- chapter 10, Figure 10-35; p.362 (version c)
SELECT order#, orderdate, shipdate, (shipdate - orderdate)
"Ship Days"
FROM orders
WHERE orderdate >= '03-APR-09';
ORDER#
---------1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
ORDERDATE
--------03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
SHIPDATE
Ship Days
--------- ---------05-APR-09
2
04-APR-09
1
05-APR-09
2
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
1
1
05-APR-09
1
12 rows selected.
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
44
-- chapter 10, Figure 10-35; p.362
SELECT order#, orderdate, shipdate,
NVL(shipdate, '06-APR-09') - orderdate "Ship Days"
FROM orders
WHERE orderdate >= '03-APR-09';
ORDER#
---------1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
ORDERDATE
--------03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
Substitutes a
value for a
NULL value
SHIPDATE
Ship Days
--------- ---------05-APR-09
2
04-APR-09
1
05-APR-09
2
3 NULL
04-APR-09
1
05-APR-09
1
If shipdate is
2
2
NULL,
05-APR-09
1
substitutes with
1
’06-APR-09’
1
1
12 rows selected.
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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NVL Function
• Substitutes a value for a NULL value
Figure 10-35
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Date calculations involving a NULL value
46
SELECT order#, orderdate, shipdate "Status"
FROM orders
WHERE orderdate >= '03-APR-09';
ORDER#
---------1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
ORDERDATE
--------03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
Status
--------05-APR-09
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
NULL
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
NULL
05-APR-09
12 rows selected.
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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SELECT order#, orderdate,
NVL2(shipdate, 'Shipped', 'Not Shipped') "Status"
FROM orders
WHERE orderdate >= '03-APR-09';
IF NULL
ORDER#
---------1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
ORDERDATE
--------03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
03-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
04-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
05-APR-09
Status
----------Shipped
Shipped
Shipped
Not Shipped
Shipped
Shipped
Not Shipped
Not Shipped
Shipped
Not Shipped
Not Shipped
Not Shipped
IF NOT NULL
12 rows selected.
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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NVL2 Function
• Allows different actions based on whether a value is NULL
Figure 10-36
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using NVL2 to substitute values
49
Terminology
• Function – predefined block of code that
accepts arguments
• Single-row function – returns one row of
results for each record processed
• Multiple-row function – returns one result
per group of data processed (covered in the
next chapter)
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Types of Functions
Table 10-1
Functions Covered in This Chapter
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51
• Practice all the examples in the text.
• A Script file is available on the Bb (file
name: Ch10Queries.sql)
• After completing all examples, do the HW.
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Homework - Hands-On Assignments
Upload the spooled file (*.txt) to the Bb (under
“Assignments & Projects”) by the deadline.
Read and Practice all examples on Chapters 10
• 1. Run the script files (in the folder
\oradata\chapter10\): JLDB_Build_10.sql and
download other data files
• 2. Read Oracle assignment and create a script file
Oracle_ch10_Lname_Fname.sql for questions
(#3,4,10; p.399) on “Hands-on Assignments”. Use
appropriate COLUMN statements to produce
readable outputs
• 3. Execute and test one problem at a time and make
sure they are all running successfully.
• 4. When you done, spool the script files (see next
slide for spooling instructions) and UPLOAD the
file (Oracle_ch10_Spool_Lname_Fname.txt) to Bb
by the midnight before the next class.
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
53
How to Spool your Script and Output Files
After you tested the script file of Oracle_ch10_Lname_Fname.sql
successfully, follow the instructions below to spool both script and output
files:
Step 0. Run the following script file from SQL*Plus (since you have created
JLDB tables)
– Start c:\oradata\chapter10\JLDB_Build_10.sql
• 1. type the following on SQL>
– Spool c:\oradata\Oracle_ch10_Spool_Lname_Fname.txt (make sure your name is
entered)
• 2. open Oracle_ch10_Lname_Fname.sql that you already tested
• 3. copy and paste all the SQL commands (including all comments) to the
SQL*PLUS
• 4. type Spool Off on the SQL>
The output should contain your personal information, all SQL commands and
their solution on the .txt file and saved in C: drive (oradata\ folder)
Upload the spooled file (*.txt) to the Bb (under
“Assignments & Projects”) by the deadline.
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
54
Your Turn …
• PART II
– Study yourself
– “Learning to learn and learning to change”
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
55
Nesting Functions
Figure 10-8 INSTR nested inside SUBSTR
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
56
LENGTH Function
• Used to determine the number of characters in a string
Figure 10-10
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Checking data width with the LENGTH function
57
LTRIM
and RTRIM Functions
• Used to remove a specific string of characters
Figure 10-12
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using the LTRIM function
58
REPLACE Function
• Substitutes a string with another specified string
Figure 10-13
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using the REPLACE function
59
TRANSLATE Function
Figure 10-14
Using TRANSLATE to substitute character values
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
60
CONCAT Function
• Used to concatenate two character strings
Figure 10-15
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using the CONCAT function
61
Number Functions
• Allow for manipulation of numeric data
–
–
–
–
ROUND
TRUNC
MOD
ABS
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ROUND Function
• Used to round numeric columns to a stated precision
Figure 10-16
Using the ROUND function to round numbers to various places
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
63
TRUNC Function
• Used to truncate a numeric value to a specific position
Figure 10-17
Using the TRUNC function to truncate numbers at various places
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
64
MOD Function
Figure 10-18
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using the MOD functions to return the remainder
65
ABS Function
Figure 10-19
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
The effect of using the ABS function
66
Date Functions
• Used to perform date calculations or format date values
• Subtract date for number of days difference
Figure 10-20
A calculation with date columns
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
67
MONTHS_BETWEEN Function
• Determines the number of months between two
dates
Figure 10-21
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using the MONTHS_BETWEEN function
68
ADD_MONTHS Function
• Adds a specified number of months to a date
Figure 10-22
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using the ADD_MONTHS function
69
NEXT_DAY Function
• Determines the next occurrence of a specified day
of the week after a given date
Figure 10-23
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using the NEXT_DAY function
70
TO_DATE Function
• Converts various date formats to the internal
format (DD-MON-YY) used by Oracle 11g
Figure 10-25
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Using the TO_DATE function
71
Format Model Elements - Dates
Table 10-2
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Format Arguments for Dates
72
ROUND Function
Figure 10-26
Rounding dates by month and year
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73
TRUNC Function
Figure 10-27
Using the TRUNC function on date calculation results
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74
TO_CHAR Function
• Converts dates and numbers to a formatted
character string
Figure 10-39
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Formatting values for display with TO_CHAR
75
TO_NUMBER Function
Figure 10-43
Using the TO_NUMBER function to convert a string to a numeric datatype
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76
DUAL Table
• Dummy table
• Consists of one column and one row
• Can be used for table reference in the FROM
clause
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77
Using DUAL
Figure 10-44
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
Practicing functions by using a DUAL table
78
Summary
• Single-row functions return a result for each row or record
processed
• Case conversion functions such as UPPER, LOWER, and
INITCAP can be used to alter the case of character strings
• Character manipulation functions can be used to extract
substrings (portions of a string), identify the position of a
substring in a string, replace occurrences of a string with
another string, determine the length of a character string, and
trim spaces or characters from strings
• Nesting one function within another allows multiple
operations to be performed on data
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Summary (continued)
• Simple number functions such as ROUND and TRUNC can
round or truncate a number on both the left and right side of a
decimal
• The MOD function is used to return the remainder of a
division operation
• Date functions can be used to perform calculations with dates
or to change the format of dates entered by a user
• Regular expressions enable complex pattern matching
operations
• The NVL, NVL2, and NULLIF functions are used to address
problems encountered with NULL values
Dr. Chen, Oracle Database System (Oracle)
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Summary (continued)
• The TO_CHAR function lets a user present numeric data and
dates in a specific format
• The DECODE function allows an action to be taken to be
determined by a specific value
• The searched CASE expression enables you to evaluate
conditions to determine the resulting value
• The SOUNDEX function looks for records based on the
phonetic representation of characters
• The DUAL table can be helpful when testing functions
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