Functions

The function is a subprogram which can take parameters and be invoked. Normally, you can use a function to calculate a value. The function has 2 sections: the specification & the body. The specification starts with the keyword FUNCTION and ends with the RETURN clause that specifies the datatype of the result value.

The Parameter declarations are non-compulsory. The Functions which take no parameters are written without the parentheses. The function body starts with the keyword IS and ends with the keyword END followed by an elective function name.

The function body has 3 sections: an optional declarative section, an executable section, & an optional exception-handling section. The declarative section contains the declarations of the types, constants, cursors, variables, exceptions, & subprograms. These items are local and cease to exist whenever you exit the function. The executable section contains the statements that assign values, manipulate Oracle data, and control execution. The exception-handling section contains the exception handlers that deal with exceptions raised during the execution.

Syntax: