Built-in functions operate on certain types of data to return a result; they include several categories: character, date, numeric, conversion,
LOB (large object), and miscellaneous functions. Functions are described in detail in Steven Feuerstein's Oracle PL/SQL Programming; this comprehensive guide to building applications with PL/SQL has become the bible for PL/SQL developers who have raved about its completeness, readability, and practicality.
Built-in packages (collections of PL/SQL objects) greatly expand the scope of the PL/SQL language-for example, DBMS_SQL executes dynamically constructed SQL statements and PL/SQL blocks. These packages are described in detail in Feuerstein's book (coauthored with Charles Dye and John Beresniewicz), Oracle Built-in Packages.
Oracle PL/SQL Built-ins Pocket Reference contains highly useful summary information for the PL/SQL built-in functions and packages in an easy-to-access format.. It also shows how to call the built-in functions and packages. For packages, it shows the RESTRICT REFERENCES pragmas (needed if you call packages from a SQL statement), as well as the exceptions, constants, and data structures defined in the packages.
###
Oracle PL/SQL
Built-ins Pocket Reference
By Steven Feuerstein, John Beresniewicz & Chip Dawes
1st Edition October 1998
80 pages, ISBN: 1-56592-456-8, $6.95
Oracle PL/SQL
Programming
By Steven Feuerstein with Bill Pribyl
2nd Edition September 1997
1,028 pages, ISBN: 1-56592-335-9; $46.95
Oracle Built-in
Packages
By Steven Feuerstein, Charles Dye & John Beresniewicz
1st Edition April 1998
956 pages, ISBN: 1-56592-375-8; $46.95
About O’Reilly
For over 40 years, O’Reilly has provided technology and business training, knowledge, and insight to help companies succeed. Our unique network of experts and innovators share their knowledge and expertise through the company’s SaaS-based training and learning platform. O’Reilly delivers highly topical and comprehensive technology and business learning solutions to millions of users across enterprise, consumer, and university channels. For more information, visit www.oreilly.com.