Object Types

An object type is a user-defined complex datatype which encapsulates the data structure along with the functions and procedures required to manipulate the data. The variables which form the data structure are known as the attributes. The procedures and functions which characterize the behavior of the object type are known as the methods.

Presently, you cannot define object types within the PL/SQL. They should be CREATED and stored in an Oracle database, where they can be shared by various programs.

When you define an object type (in the SQL*Plus for illustration) using the CREATE TYPE statement, you can create an abstract template for various real-world object. The templates specify only those attributes and behaviors the object will require in the application atmosphere.

The data structure formed by the set of attributes is public. Though, well-behaved programs do not manipulate it directly. Rather than, they use the set of methods provided. In that way, the data is kept in an appropriate state. At the run time, when the data structure is filled with values, you have formed an instance of an object type. You can create as numerous instances (typically known as objects) as you require.

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