%TYPE Attribute

13.64 %TYPE Attribute

The %TYPE attribute lets you declare a constant, variable, collection element, record field, or subprogram parameter to be of the same data type as a previously declared variable or column (without knowing what that type is).

The %TYPE attribute cannot be used if the referenced character column has a collation other than USING_NLS_COMP.

The item declared with %TYPE is the referencing item, and the previously declared item is the referenced item.

The referencing item inherits the following from the referenced item:

Data type and size
Constraints (unless the referenced item is a column)

The referencing item does not inherit the initial value of the referenced item.

If the declaration of the referenced item changes, then the declaration of the referencing item changes accordingly.

Topics

Syntax

type_attribute ::=

Description of the illustration type_attribute.eps

Semantics

type_attribute

collection_variable_name

Name of a collection variable.

Restriction on collection_variable_name

In a constant declaration, collection_variable cannot be an associative array variable.

cursor_variable_name

Name of a cursor variable.

db_table_or_view_name

Name of a database table or view that is accessible when the declaration is elaborated.

column_name

Name of a column of db_table_or_view.

object_name

Name of an instance of an ADT.

record_variable_name

Name of a record variable.

field_name

Name of a field of record_variable.

scalar_variable_name

Name of a scalar variable.

Examples

Example 2-15, "Declaring Variable of Same Type as Column"
Example 2-16, "Declaring Variable of Same Type as Another Variable"