%TYPE Attribute

The %TYPE attribute provides the datatype of a field, record, nested table, database column, or variable. You can use the %TYPE attribute as a datatype specifier when declaring constants, variables, fields, and parameters. For more information, see "Using %TYPE".

Syntax

Text description of the illustration type_attribute.gif

Keyword and Parameter Description

collection_name

This identifies a nested table, index-by table, or varray previously declared within the current scope.

cursor_variable_name

This identifies a PL/SQL cursor variable previously declared within the current scope. Only the value of another cursor variable can be assigned to a cursor variable.

db_table_name.column_name

This refers to a table and column that must be accessible when the declaration is elaborated.

object_name

This identifies an object (instance of an object type) previously declared within the current scope.

record_name

This identifies a user-defined or %ROWTYPE record previously declared within the current scope.

record_name.field_name

This identifies a field in a user-defined or %ROWTYPE record previously declared within the current scope.

variable_name

This identifies a variable previously declared in the same scope.

Usage Notes

The %TYPE attribute is particularly useful when declaring variables, fields, and parameters that refer to database columns. However, the NOT NULL column constraint is not inherited by items declared using %TYPE.

Related Topics

Constants and Variables, %ROWTYPE Attribute