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Amar Kumar Padhi: Oracle

EXECUTE IMMEDIATE is an Oracle feature that allows dynamic SQL statements and PL/SQL blocks to be parsed and immediately executed. It aims to improve performance over earlier methods like DBMS_SQL by reducing overhead. While DBMS_SQL is still available, EXECUTE IMMEDIATE is preferable due to benefits like easier coding and more user-friendly error messages. The document provides examples of using EXECUTE IMMEDIATE for different scenarios including DDL/DML statements, retrieving values, calling routines dynamically, and handling multi-row queries.

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50 views4 pages

Amar Kumar Padhi: Oracle

EXECUTE IMMEDIATE is an Oracle feature that allows dynamic SQL statements and PL/SQL blocks to be parsed and immediately executed. It aims to improve performance over earlier methods like DBMS_SQL by reducing overhead. While DBMS_SQL is still available, EXECUTE IMMEDIATE is preferable due to benefits like easier coding and more user-friendly error messages. The document provides examples of using EXECUTE IMMEDIATE for different scenarios including DDL/DML statements, retrieving values, calling routines dynamically, and handling multi-row queries.

Uploaded by

Prasanna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ORACLE

Posted Mar 18, 2003

EXECUTE IMMEDIATE option for Dynamic SQL and PL/SQL

By DatabaseJournal.com Staff

by Amar Kumar Padhi

EXECUTE IMMEDIATE is the replacement for DBMS_SQL package


from Oracle 8i onwards. It parses and immediately executes a
dynamic SQL statement or a PL/SQL block created on the fly.
Dynamically created and executed SQL statements are
performance overhead, EXECUTE IMMEDIATE aims at reducing
the overhead and give better performance. It is also easier to
code as compared to earlier means. The error messages
generated when using this feature are more user friendly. Though
DBMS_SQL is still available, it is advisable to use EXECUTE
IMMEDIATE calls because of its benefits over the package.

Usage tips

1. EXECUTE IMMEDIATE will not commit a DML transaction


carried out and an explicit commit should be done.

If the DML command is processed via EXECUTE IMMEDIATE, one


needs to explicitly commit any changes that may have been done
before or as part of the EXECUTE IMMEDIATE itself. If the DDL
command is processed via EXECUTE IMMEDIATE, it will commit
all previously changed data.

2. Multi-row queries are not supported for returning values, the


alternative is to use a temporary table to store the records (see
example below) or make use of REF cursors.

3. Do not use a semi-colon when executing SQL statements, and


use semi-colon at the end when executing a PL/SQL block.
4. This feature is not covered at large in the Oracle Manuals.
Below are examples of all possible ways of using Execute
immediate. Hope it is handy.

5. For Forms Developers, this feature will not work in Forms 6i


front-end as it is on PL/SQL 8.0.6.3.

Example of EXECUTE IMMEDIATE usage

1. To run a DDL statement in PL/SQL.

begin
execute immediate 'set role all';
end;

2. To pass values to a dynamic statement (USING clause).

declare
l_depnam varchar2(20) := 'testing';
l_loc varchar2(10) := 'Dubai';
begin
execute immediate 'insert into dept values (:1, :2, :3)'
using 50, l_depnam, l_loc;
commit;
end;

3. To retrieve values from a dynamic statement (INTO clause).

declare
l_cnt varchar2(20);
begin
execute immediate 'select count(1) from emp'
into l_cnt;
dbms_output.put_line(l_cnt);
end;

4. To call a routine dynamically: The bind variables used for


parameters of the routine have to be specified along with the
parameter type. IN type is the default, others have to be
specified explicitly.

declare
l_routin varchar2(100) := 'gen2161.get_rowcnt';
l_tblnam varchar2(20) := 'emp';
l_cnt number;
l_status varchar2(200);
begin
execute immediate 'begin ' || l_routin || '(:2, :3, :4); end;'
using in l_tblnam, out l_cnt, in out l_status;

if l_status != 'OK' then


dbms_output.put_line('error');
end if;
end;

5. To return value into a PL/SQL record type: The same option


can be used for %rowtype variables also.

declare
type empdtlrec is record (empno number(4),
ename varchar2(20),
deptno number(2));
empdtl empdtlrec;
begin
execute immediate 'select empno, ename, deptno ' ||
'from emp where empno = 7934'
into empdtl;
end;

6. To pass and retrieve values: The INTO clause should precede


the USING clause.

declare
l_dept pls_integer := 20;
l_nam varchar2(20);
l_loc varchar2(20);
begin
execute immediate 'select dname, loc from dept where deptno =
:1'
into l_nam, l_loc
using l_dept ;
end;

7. Multi-row query option. Use the insert statement to populate a


temp table for this option. Use the temporary table to carry out
further processing. Alternatively, you may use REF cursors to by-
pass this drawback.

declare
l_sal pls_integer := 2000;
begin
execute immediate 'insert into temp(empno, ename) ' ||
' select empno, ename from emp ' ||
' where sal > :1'
using l_sal;
commit;
end;

EXECUTE IMMEDIATE is a much easier and more efficient method


of processing dynamic statements than could have been possible
before. As the intention is to execute dynamic statements, proper
handling of exceptions becomes all the more important. Care
should be taken to trap all possible exceptions.

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