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Pro*C/C++ Programmer's Guide
10g Release 2 (10.2)

Part Number B14407-01
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Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

Title and Copyright Information

Preface

Intended Audience
Documentation Accessibility
Related Documents
Conventions

What's New in Pro*C/C++?

Oracle10g Release 2 (10.2) New Features in Pro*C/C++
Oracle9i Release 2 (9.2) New Features in Pro*C/C++
Oracle9i Release 1 (9.0.1) New Features in Pro*C/C++
Oracle8i Release 8.1.5 New Features in Pro*C/C++
Oracle8i Release 8.1.4 New Features in Pro*C/C++
Oracle8i Release 8.1.3 New Features in Pro*C/C++

Part I Introduction and Concepts

1 Introduction

What is an Oracle Precompiler?
Why Use the Oracle Pro*C/C++ Precompiler
Why Use SQL
Why Use PL/SQL
Pro*C/C++ Precompiler Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a VARCHAR?
Does Pro*C/C++ Generate Calls to the Oracle Call Interface?
Why Not Code Using SQLLIB Calls and Not Use Pro*C/C++?
Can I Call A PL/SQL Stored Procedure From a Pro*C/C++ Program?
Can I Write C++ Code, and Precompile It Using Pro*C/C++?
Can I Use Bind Variables Anywhere in a SQL Statement?
I Am Confused By Character Handling in Pro*C/C++.
Is There Anything Special About Character Pointers?
Why Does SPOOL Not Work in Pro*C/C++?
Where Can I Find The On-line Versions of the Example Programs?
How Can I Compile and Link My Application?
Does Pro*C/C++ Now Support Using Structures As Host Variables?
Is It Possible to Have Recursive Functions In Pro*C/C++ If I Use Embedded SQL In the Function?
Can I Use Any Release of Pro*C/C++ with Any Version of the Oracle Server?
When My Application Runs Under Oracle9i, I Keep Getting an Ora-1405 Error (Fetched Column Value Is NULL).
Are All SQLLIB Functions Private?
How Does Oracle9i Support The New Object Types?
Compatibility, Upgrading and Migration

2 Precompiler Concepts

Key Concepts of Embedded SQL Programming
Embedded SQL Statements
Executable Statements and Directives
Embedded SQL Syntax
Static Versus Dynamic SQL Statements
Embedded PL/SQL Blocks
Host and Indicator Variables
Oracle Datatypes
Arrays
Datatype Equivalencing
Private SQL Areas, Cursors, and Active Sets
Transactions
Errors and Warnings
Steps in Developing an Embedded SQL Application
Guidelines for Programming
Comments
Constants
Declare Section
Delimiters
File Length
Function Prototyping
ANSI_C
KR_C
CPP
Hint Length
Host Variable Names
Line Continuation
Line Length
MAXLITERAL Default Value
Operators
Statement Terminator
Conditional Precompilation
Symbol Definition
Example SELECT Statement
Precompile Separately
Guidelines
Referencing Cursors
Specifying MAXOPENCURSORS
Use a Single SQLCA
Compile and Link
Example Tables
Example Data
Example Program: A Simple Query

3 Database Concepts

Connect to the Database
Using the ALTER AUTHORIZATION Clause to Change Passwords
Standard CONNECT
Change Password on CONNECT
Connecting Using Oracle Net
Automatic Connects
The AUTO_CONNECT Precompiler Option
SYSDBA or SYSOPER System Privileges
Advanced Connection Options
Some Preliminaries
Concurrent Logons
Default Databases and Connections
Explicit Connections
Single Explicit Connection
Multiple Explicit Connections
Ensuring Data Integrity
Implicit Connections
Single Implicit Connections
Multiple Implicit Connections
Definitions of Transactions Terms
How Transactions Guard Your Database
How to Begin and End Transactions
Using the COMMIT Statement
Using the SAVEPOINT Statement
The ROLLBACK Statement
Statement-Level Rollbacks
The RELEASE Option
The SET TRANSACTION Statement
Override Default Locking
Using FOR UPDATE OF
Restrictions
Using LOCK TABLE
Fetch Across COMMITs
Distributed Transactions Handling
Guidelines
Designing Applications
Obtaining Locks
Using PL/SQL

4 Datatypes and Host Variables

Oracle Datatypes
Internal Datatypes
External Datatypes
VARCHAR2
NUMBER
INTEGER
FLOAT
STRING
VARNUM
LONG
VARCHAR
ROWID
DATE
RAW
VARRAW
LONG RAW
UNSIGNED
LONG VARCHAR
LONG VARRAW
CHAR
CHARZ
CHARF
Additional External Datatypes
Datetime and Interval Datatypes
ANSI DATE
TIMESTAMP
TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE
TIMESTAMP WITH LOCAL TIME ZONE
INTERVAL YEAR TO MONTH
INTERVAL DAY TO SECOND
Avoiding Unexpected Results Using Datetime
Host Variables
Host Variable Declaration
Storage-Class Specifiers
Type Qualifiers
Host Variable Referencing
Restrictions
Indicator Variables
The INDICATOR Keyword
Example of INDICATOR Variable Usage
INDICATOR Variable Guidelines
Oracle Restrictions
VARCHAR Variables
VARCHAR Variable Declaration
VARCHAR Variable Referencing
Return NULLs to a VARCHAR Variable
Insert NULLs Using VARCHAR Variables
Pass VARCHAR Variables to a Function
Find the Length of the VARCHAR Array Component
Example Program: Using sqlvcp()
Cursor Variables
Declare a Cursor Variable
Allocate a Cursor Variable
Open a Cursor Variable
Opening in a Standalone Stored Procedure
Return Types
Closing and Freeing a Cursor Variable
Cursor Variables with the OCI (Release 7 Only)
Restrictions
Example: cv_demo.sql and sample11.pc
cv_demo.sql
sample11.pc
CONTEXT Variables
Universal ROWIDs
SQLRowidGet()
Host Structures
Host Structures and Arrays
PL/SQL Records
Nested Structures and Unions
Host Indicator Structures
Example Program: Cursor and a Host Structure
Pointer Variables
Pointer Variable Declaration
Pointer Variable Referencing
Structure Pointers
Globalization Support
NCHAR Variables
CHARACTER SET [IS] NCHAR_CS
Environment Variable NLS_NCHAR
CONVBUFSZ Clause in VAR
Character Strings in Embedded SQL
Strings Restrictions
Indicator Variables

5 Advanced Topics

Character Data
Precompiler Option CHAR_MAP
Inline Usage of the CHAR_MAP Option
Effect of the DBMS and CHAR_MAP Options
On Input
On Input
On Output
VARCHAR Variables and Pointers
On Input
On Output
Unicode Variables
Restrictions on Unicode Variable Usage
Datatype Conversion
Datatype Equivalencing
Host Variable Equivalencing
User-Defined Type Equivalencing
REFERENCE Clause
CHARF External Datatype
The EXEC SQL VAR and TYPE Directives
Example: Datatype Equivalencing (sample4.pc):
The C Preprocessor
How the Pro*C/C++ Preprocessor Works
Preprocessor Directives
Directives Ignored
ORA_PROC Macro
Location of Header File Specification
Some Preprocessor Examples
Using #define
Other Preprocessor Restrictions
SQL Statements Not Allowed in #include
Include the SQLCA, ORACA, and SQLDA
EXEC SQL INCLUDE and #include Summary
Defined Macros
Include Files
Precompiled Header Files
Precompiled Header File Creation
Use of the Precompiled Header Files
Examples
Redundant File Inclusion
Multiple Precompiled Header Files
Effects of Options
DEFINE and INCLUDE Options
CODE and PARSE Options
Usage Notes
The Oracle Preprocessor
Symbol Definition
An Oracle Preprocessor Example
Evaluation of Numeric Constants
Numeric Constants in Pro*C/C++
Numeric Constant Rules and Examples
SQLLIB Extensions for OCI Release 8 Interoperability
Runtime Context in the OCI Release 8 Environment
Parameters in the OCI Release 8 Environment Handle
Interface to OCI Release 8
SQLEnvGet()
SQLSvcCtxGet()
Embedded OCI Release 8 Calls
Embedded OCI Release 7 Calls
Set Up the LDA
Remote and Multiple Connections
New Names for SQLLIB Public Functions
X/Open Application Development
Oracle-Specific Issues
Connecting to Oracle
Transaction Control
OCI Calls (Release 7 Only)
Linking

6 Embedded SQL

Host Variables
Output versus Input Host Variables
Indicator Variables
Insert NULLs
Returned NULLs
Fetch NULLs
Test for NULLs
Truncated Values
The Basic SQL Statements
The SELECT Statement
Available Clauses
The INSERT Statement
Using Subqueries
The UPDATE Statement
The DELETE Statement
The WHERE Clause
The DML Returning Clause
Cursors
The DECLARE CURSOR Statement
The OPEN Statement
The FETCH Statement
The CLOSE Statement
Scrollable Cursors
Using Scrollable Cursors
DECLARE SCROLL CURSOR
OPEN
FETCH
CLOSE
The CLOSE_ON_COMMIT Precompiler Option
The PREFETCH Precompiler Option
Optimizer Hints
Issuing Hints
The CURRENT OF Clause
Restrictions
The Cursor Statements
A Complete Example Using Non-Scrollable Cursor
A Complete Example Using Scrollable Cursor
Positioned Update

7 Embedded PL/SQL

Advantages of PL/SQL
Better Performance
Integration with Oracle
Cursor FOR Loops
Procedures and Functions
Packages
PL/SQL Tables
User-Defined Records
Embedded PL/SQL Blocks
Host Variables
Example: Using Host Variables with PL/SQL
Complex Example
VARCHAR Pseudotype
Restriction
Indicator Variables
NULLs Handling
Truncated Values
Host Arrays
ARRAYLEN Statement
Optional Keyword EXECUTE
Cursor Usage in Embedded PL/SQL
Stored PL/SQL and Java Subprograms
Creating Stored Subprograms
Calling a Stored PL/SQL or Java Subprogram
Anonymous PL/SQL Block
Remote Access
The CALL Statement
CALL Example
Getting Information about Stored Subprograms
External Procedures
Restrictions on External Procedures
Creating the External Procedure
SQLExtProcError()
Using Dynamic SQL

8 Host Arrays

Why Use Arrays?
Declaring Host Arrays
Restrictions
Maximum Size of Arrays
Using Arrays in SQL Statements
Referencing Host Arrays
Using Indicator Arrays
Oracle Restrictions
ANSI Restriction and Requirements
Selecting into Arrays
Cursor Fetches
Using sqlca.sqlerrd[2]
Number of Rows Fetched
Scrollable Cursor Fetches
Sample Program 3: Host Arrays
Sample Program: Host Arrays Using Scrollable Cursor
Scroll Demo2.pc
Host Array Restrictions
Fetching NULLs
Fetching Truncated Values
Inserting with Arrays
Inserting with Arrays Restrictions
Updating with Arrays
Updating with Arrays Restrictions
Deleting with Arrays
Deleting with Arrays Restrictions
Using the FOR Clause
FOR Clause Restrictions
In a SELECT Statement
With the CURRENT OF Clause
Using the WHERE Clause
Arrays of Structs
Arrays of Structs Usage
Restrictions on Arrays of Structs
Declaring an Array of Structs
Variables Guidelines
Declaring a Pointer to an Array of Structs
Examples
Example 1: A Simple Array of Structs of Scalars
Example 2: Using Mixed Scalar Arrays with An Array of Structs
Example 3: Using Multiple Arrays of Structs with a Cursor
Example 4: Individual Array and Struct Member Referencing
Example 5: Using Indicator Variables, a Special Case
Example 6: Using a Pointer to an Array of Structs
Mimicking CURRENT OF

9 Handling Runtime Errors

The Need for Error Handling
Error Handling Alternatives
Status Variables
The SQL Communications Area
The SQLSTATE Status Variable
Declaring SQLSTATE
SQLSTATE Values
Using SQLSTATE
If You Declare SQLSTATE
If You Do not Declare SQLSTATE
Declaring SQLCODE
Key Components of Error Reporting Using the SQLCA
Status Codes
Warning Flags
Rows-Processed Count
Parse Error Offsets
Error Message Text
Using the SQL Communications Area (SQLCA)
Declaring the SQLCA
SQLCA Contents
SQLCA Structure
sqlcaid
sqlcabc
sqlcode
sqlerrm
sqlerrp
sqlerrd
sqlwarn
sqlext
PL/SQL Considerations
Getting the Full Text of Error Messages
Using the WHENEVER Directive
WHENEVER Conditions
SQLWARNING
SQLERROR
NOT FOUND
WHENEVER Actions
CONTINUE
DO
DO BREAK
DO CONTINUE
GOTO label_name
STOP
WHENEVER Examples
Use of DO BREAK and DO CONTINUE
Scope of WHENEVER
Guidelines for WHENEVER
Placing the Statements
Handling End-of-Data Conditions
Avoiding Infinite Loops
Maintaining Addressability
Returning After an Error
Obtaining the Text of SQL Statements
Restrictions
Example Program
Using the Oracle Communications Area (ORACA)
Declaring the ORACA
Enabling the ORACA
ORACA Contents
Choosing Runtime Options
Structure of the ORACA
oracaid
oracabc
oracchf
oradbgf
orahchf
orastxtf
Diagnostics
orastxt
orasfnm
oraslnr
Cursor Cache Statistics
orahoc
oramoc
oracoc
oranor
oranpr
oranex
ORACA Example

10 Precompiler Options

The Precompiler Command
Case Sensitivity
Precompiler Options
Configuration Files
Precedence of Option Values
Macro and Micro Options
What Occurs During Precompilation?
Scope of Options
Quick Reference
Entering Options
On the Command Line
Inline
Uses for EXEC ORACLE
Scope of EXEC ORACLE
Using the Precompiler Options
AUTO_CONNECT
CHAR_MAP
CINCR
CLOSE_ON_COMMIT
CMAX
CMIN
CNOWAIT
CODE
COMP_CHARSET
CONFIG
CPOOL
CPP_SUFFIX
CTIMEOUT
DBMS
DEF_SQLCODE
DEFINE
DURATION
DYNAMIC
ERRORS
ERRTYPE
EVENTS
FIPS
HEADER
HOLD_CURSOR
INAME
INCLUDE
INTYPE
LINES
LNAME
LTYPE
MAXLITERAL
MAXOPENCURSORS
MODE
NATIVE_TYPES
NLS_CHAR
NLS_LOCAL
OBJECTS
ONAME
ORACA
PAGELEN
PARSE
PREFETCH
RELEASE_CURSOR
SELECT_ERROR
SQLCHECK
SYS_INCLUDE
THREADS
TYPE_CODE
UNSAFE_NULL
USERID
UTF16_CHARSET
VARCHAR
VERSION

11 Multithreaded Applications

What are Threads?
Runtime Contexts in Pro*C/C++
Runtime Context Usage Models
Multiple Threads Sharing a Single Runtime Context
Multiple Threads Sharing Multiple Runtime Contexts
User Interface Features for Multithreaded Applications
THREADS Option
Embedded SQL Statements and Directives
EXEC SQL ENABLE THREADS
EXEC SQL CONTEXT ALLOCATE
EXEC SQL CONTEXT USE
EXEC SQL CONTEXT FREE
CONTEXT USE Examples
Programming Considerations
Multithreaded Example
Connection Pooling
Using the Connection Pooling Feature
How to Enable Connection Pooling
Command Line Options for Connection Pooling
Example
Performance Tuning
Demo Program:1
Example
Demo Program:2
Case 1: By varying CMIN
Case 2: By varying CMAX
Example

Part II Applications

12 C++ Applications

Understanding C++ Support
No Special Macro Processing
Precompiling for C++
Code Generation
Parsing Code
Output Filename Extension
System Header Files
Example Programs
cppdemo1.pc
cppdemo2.pc
cppdemo3.pc

13 Oracle Dynamic SQL

What is Dynamic SQL?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dynamic SQL
When to Use Dynamic SQL
Requirements for Dynamic SQL Statements
How Dynamic SQL Statements are Processed
Methods for Using Dynamic SQL
Method 1
Method 2
Method 3
Method 4
Guidelines
Avoiding Common Errors
Using Method 1
Example Program: Dynamic SQL Method 1
Using Method 2
The USING Clause
Example Program: Dynamic SQL Method 2
Using Method 3
PREPARE
DECLARE
OPEN
FETCH
CLOSE
Example Program: Dynamic SQL Method 3
Using Method 4
Need for the SQLDA
The DESCRIBE Statement
What is a SQLDA?
Implementing Oracle Method 4
Restriction
Using the DECLARE STATEMENT Statement
Using Host Arrays
Using PL/SQL
With Method 1
With Method 2
With Method 3
With Oracle Method 4

14 ANSI Dynamic SQL

Basics of ANSI Dynamic SQL
Precompiler Options
Overview of ANSI SQL Statements
Example Code
Oracle Extensions
Reference Semantics
Using Arrays for Bulk Operations
Support for Arrays of Structs
Support for Object Types
ANSI Dynamic SQL Precompiler Options
Full Syntax of the Dynamic SQL Statements
ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR
DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR
GET DESCRIPTOR
SET DESCRIPTOR
Use of PREPARE
DESCRIBE INPUT
DESCRIBE OUTPUT
EXECUTE
Use of EXECUTE IMMEDIATE
Use of DYNAMIC DECLARE CURSOR
OPEN Cursor
FETCH
CLOSE a Dynamic Cursor
Differences From Oracle Dynamic Method 4
Restrictions
Example Programs
ansidyn1.pc
ansidyn2.pc

15 Oracle Dynamic SQL: Method 4

Meeting the Special Requirements of Method 4
What Makes Method 4 Special?
What Information Does Oracle Need?
Where Is the Information Stored?
How is the SQLDA Referenced?
How is the Information Obtained?
Understanding the SQLDA
Purpose of the SQLDA
Multiple SQLDAs
Declaring a SQLDA
Allocating a SQLDA
Using the SQLDA Variables
The N Variable
The V Variable
The L Variable
The T Variable
The I Variable
The F Variable
The S Variable
The M Variable
The C Variable
The X Variable
The Y Variable
The Z Variable
Some Preliminaries
Converting Data
Internal Datatypes
External Datatypes
Coercing Datatypes
Extracting Precision and Scale
Handling NULL/Not NULL Datatypes
The Basic Steps
A Closer Look at Each Step
Declare a Host String
Declare the SQLDAs
Allocate Storage Space for the Descriptors
Set the Maximum Number to DESCRIBE
Put the Query Text in the Host String
PREPARE the Query from the Host String
DECLARE a Cursor
DESCRIBE the Bind Variables
Reset Number of Placeholders
Get Values and Allocate Storage for Bind Variables
OPEN the Cursor
DESCRIBE the Select List
Reset Number of Select-List Items
Reset Length/Datatype of Each Select-list Item
FETCH Rows from the Active Set
Get and Process Select-List Values
Deallocate Storage
CLOSE the Cursor
Using Host Arrays
sample12.pc
Example Program: Dynamic SQL Method 4
Sample Program : Dynamic SQL Method 4 using Scrollable Cursors

16 LOBs

What are LOBs?
Internal LOBs
External LOBs
Security for BFILEs
LOBs versus LONG and LONG RAW
LOB Locators
Temporary LOBs
LOB Buffering Subsystem
How to Use LOBs in Your Program
Three Ways to Access LOBs
LOB Locators in Your Application
Initializing a LOB
Internal LOBs
External LOBs
Temporary LOBs
Freeing LOBs
Rules for LOB Statements
For All LOB Statements
For the LOB Buffering Subsystem
For Host Variables
LOB Statements
APPEND
ASSIGN
CLOSE
COPY
CREATE TEMPORARY
DISABLE BUFFERING
ENABLE BUFFERING
ERASE
FILE CLOSE ALL
FILE SET
FLUSH BUFFER
FREE TEMPORARY
LOAD FROM FILE
OPEN
READ
TRIM
WRITE
DESCRIBE
LOBs and the Navigational Interface
Transient Objects
Persistent Objects
Navigational Interface Example
LOB Program Examples
READ a BLOB, Write a File Example
Read a File, WRITE a BLOB Example
lobdemo1.pc

17 Objects

Introduction to Objects
Object Types
REFs to Object Types
Type Inheritance
Using Object Types in Pro*C/C++
NULL Indicators
The Object Cache
Persistent Versus Transient Copies of Objects
Associative Interface
When to Use the Associative Interface
ALLOCATE
FREE
CACHE FREE ALL
Accessing Objects Using the Associative Interface
Navigational Interface
When to Use the Navigational Interface
Rules Used in the Navigational Statements
OBJECT CREATE
OBJECT DEREF
OBJECT RELEASE
OBJECT DELETE
OBJECT UPDATE
OBJECT FLUSH
Navigational Access to Objects
Converting Object Attributes and C Types
OBJECT SET
OBJECT GET
Object Options Set/Get
CONTEXT OBJECT OPTION SET
CONTEXT OBJECT OPTION GET
New Precompiler Options for Objects
VERSION
DURATION
OBJECTS
INTYPE
ERRTYPE
SQLCHECK Support for Objects
Type Checking at Runtime
An Object Example in Pro*C/C++
Associative Access
Navigational Access
Example Code for Type Inheritance
Example Code for Navigational Access
Using C Structures
Using REFs
Generating a C Structure for a REF
Declaring REFs
Using REFs in Embedded SQL
Using OCIDate, OCIString, OCINumber, and OCIRaw
Declaring OCIDate, OCIString, OCINumber, OCIRaw
Use of the OCI Types in Embedded SQL
Manipulating the OCI Types
Summarizing the New Database Types in Pro*C/C++
Restrictions on Using Oracle Datatypes in Dynamic SQL

18 Collections

Collections
Nested Tables
Varrays
C and Collections
Descriptors for Collections
Declarations for Host and Indicator Variables
Manipulating Collections
Autonomous Collection Access
Collection Element Access
Rules for Access
Autonomous Access
Element Access
Indicator Variables
Autonomous Bindings
Element Bindings
OBJECT GET and SET
Collection Statements
COLLECTION GET
COLLECTION SET
COLLECTION RESET
COLLECTION APPEND
COLLECTION TRIM
COLLECTION DESCRIBE
Notes on the Table
Rules for the Use of Collections
Collection Example Code
Type and Table Creation
GET and SET Example
DESCRIBE Example
RESET Example
Example Program:coldemo1.pc

19 The Object Type Translator

OTT Overview
What is the Object Type Translator
Creating Types in the Database
Invoking OTT
Command Line
Configuration File
INTYPE File
The OTT Command Line
OTT
Userid
INTYPE
OUTTYPE
CODE
HFILE
INITFILE
INITFUNC
The INTYPE File
OTT Datatype Mappings
Mapping Object Datatypes to C
OTT Type Mapping Example
NULL Indicator Structs
OTT Support for Type Inheritance
Substitutable Object Attributes
The OUTTYPE File
Using OTT with OCI Applications
Accessing and Manipulating Objects with OCI
Calling the Initialization Function
Tasks of the Initialization Function
Using OTT with Pro*C/C++ Applications
OTT Reference
OTT Command Line Syntax
OTT Parameters
USERID
INTYPE
OUTTYPE
CODE
INITFILE
INITFUNC
HFILE
CONFIG
ERRTYPE
CASE
SCHEMA_NAMES
TRANSITIVE
Where OTT Parameters Can Appear
Structure of the INTYPE File
INTYPE File Type Specifications
Nested #include File Generation
SCHEMA_NAMES Usage
Default Name Mapping
Restriction
File Name Comparison

20 User Exits

What Is a User Exit?
Why Write a User Exit?
Developing a User Exit
Writing a User Exit
Requirements for Variables
EXEC TOOLS Statements
Writing a Toolset User Exit
EXEC TOOLS SET
EXEC TOOLS GET
EXEC TOOLS SET CONTEXT
EXEC TOOLS GET CONTEXT
EXEC TOOLS MESSAGE
Calling a User Exit
Passing Parameters to a User Exit
Returning Values to a Form
The IAP Constants
Using the SQLIEM Function
Using WHENEVER
An Example
Precompiling and Compiling a User Exit
Example Program: A User Exit
Using the GENXTB Utility
Linking a User Exit into SQL*Forms
Guidelines
Naming the Exit
Connecting to Oracle
Issuing I/O Calls
Using Host Variables
Updating Tables
Issuing Commands

Part III Appendixes

A New Features

New In This Release
New External Datatypes
New In Previous Releases
Array of Structs
Precompiled Header Files
CALL Statement
Changing Passwords at Runtime
Support for National Character Sets
CHAR_MAP Precompiler Option
New Names for SQLLIB Functions
New Actions in WHENEVER Statement
Object Type Support
Object Type Translator
LOB Support
ANSI Dynamic SQ
Collections
Miscellaneous Topics
Unicode Support
UTF16_CHARSET Option
PREFETCH Option
External Procedures
Calling Java from PL/SQL
DML Returning Clause
Universal ROWID
SYSDBA/SYSOPER Privileges in CONNECT Statements
CLOSE_ON_COMMIT Precompiler Option
Character Strings
Error Message Codes
LINES Option
Migration From Earlier Releases

B Reserved Words, Keywords, and Namespaces

Reserved Words and Keywords
Oracle Reserved Namespaces

C Performance Tuning

What Causes Poor Performance?
How Can Performance Be Improved?
Using Host Arrays
Using Embedded PL/SQL
Optimizing SQL Statements
Optimizer Hints
Trace Facility
Using Indexes
Taking Advantage of Row-Level Locking
Eliminating Unnecessary Parsing
Handling Explicit Cursors
Cursor Control
Using the Cursor Management Options
SQL Areas and Cursor Cache
Resource Use
Infrequent Execution
Frequent Execution
Embedded PL/SQL Considerations
Parameter Interactions
Avoiding Unnecessary Reparsing
Using Connection Pooling

D Syntactic and Semantic Checking

What Is Syntactic and Semantic Checking?
Controlling the Type and Extent of Checking
Specifying SQLCHECK=SEMANTICS
Enabling a Semantic Check
Connecting to the Oracle server
Using DECLARE TABLE
Using DECLARE TYPE
Specifying SQLCHECK=SYNTAX
Entering the SQLCHECK Option

E System-Specific References

System-Specific Information
Location of Standard Header Files
Specifying Location of Included Files for the C Compiler
ANSI C Support
Struct Component Alignment
Size of an Integer and ROWID
Byte Ordering
Connecting to the Oracle Server
Linking in an XA Library
Location of the Pro*C/C++ Executable
System Configuration File
INCLUDE Option Syntax
Compiling and Linking
User Exits

F Embedded SQL Statements and Directives

Summary of Precompiler Directives and Embedded SQL Statements
About The Statement Descriptions
How to Read Syntax Diagrams
Required Keywords and Parameters
Optional Keywords and Parameters
Syntax Loops
Multipart Diagrams
Oracle Names
Statement Terminator
ALLOCATE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR (Executable Embedded SQL)
CACHE FREE ALL (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
CALL (Executable Embedded SQL)
CLOSE (Executable Embedded SQL)
COLLECTION APPEND (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
COLLECTION DESCRIBE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
COLLECTION GET (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
COLLECTION RESET (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
COLLECTION SET (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
COLLECTION TRIM (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
COMMIT (Executable Embedded SQL)
CONNECT (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
CONTEXT ALLOCATE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
CONTEXT FREE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
CONTEXT OBJECT OPTION GET (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
CONTEXT OBJECT OPTION SET (Executable Embedded SQL Ext)
CONTEXT USE (Oracle Embedded SQL Directive)
DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR (Embedded SQL Statement)
DECLARE CURSOR (Embedded SQL Directive)
DECLARE DATABASE (Oracle Embedded SQL Directive)
DECLARE STATEMENT (Embedded SQL Directive)
DECLARE TABLE (Oracle Embedded SQL Directive)
DECLARE TYPE (Oracle Embedded SQL Directive)
DELETE (Executable Embedded SQL)
DESCRIBE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
DESCRIBE DESCRIPTOR (Executable Embedded SQL)
ENABLE THREADS (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
EXECUTE ... END-EXEC (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
EXECUTE (Executable Embedded SQL)
EXECUTE DESCRIPTOR (Executable Embedded SQL)
EXECUTE IMMEDIATE (Executable Embedded SQL)
FETCH (Executable Embedded SQL)
FETCH DESCRIPTOR (Executable Embedded SQL)
FREE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
GET DESCRIPTOR (Executable Embedded SQL)
INSERT (Executable Embedded SQL)
LOB APPEND (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB ASSIGN (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB CLOSE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB COPY (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB CREATE TEMPORARY (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB DESCRIBE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB DISABLE BUFFERING (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB ENABLE BUFFERING (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB ERASE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB FILE CLOSE ALL (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB FILE SET (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB FLUSH BUFFER (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB FREE TEMPORARY (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB LOAD (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB OPEN (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB READ (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB TRIM (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
LOB WRITE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OBJECT CREATE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OBJECT DELETE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OBJECT DEREF (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OBJECT FLUSH (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OBJECT GET (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OBJECT RELEASE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OBJECT SET (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OBJECT UPDATE (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
OPEN (Executable Embedded SQL)
OPEN DESCRIPTOR (Executable Embedded SQL)
PREPARE (Executable Embedded SQL)
REGISTER CONNECT (Executable Embedded SQL Extension)
ROLLBACK (Executable Embedded SQL)
SAVEPOINT (Executable Embedded SQL)
SELECT (Executable Embedded SQL)
SET DESCRIPTOR (Executable Embedded SQL)
TYPE (Oracle Embedded SQL Directive)
UPDATE (Executable Embedded SQL)
VAR (Oracle Embedded SQL Directive)
WHENEVER (Embedded SQL Directive)

Index