Which of the Following Data Type Supports PL SQL?
In PL/SQL, several data types are supported to store and manipulate data. These data types provide flexibility and efficiency when working with variables, constants, parameters, and database columns. Let’s explore some of the commonly used data types in PL/SQL:
Numeric Data Types
The numeric data types in PL/SQL allow you to work with numbers. These include:
- NUMBER: The NUMBER data type is used to store positive and negative fixed-point or floating-point numbers.
- BINARY_INTEGER: The BINARY_INTEGER data type is used to store signed integers with a range from -2^31 to 2^31-1.
- PLS_INTEGER: The PLS_INTEGER data type is similar to BINARY_INTEGER but provides better performance for calculations within PL/SQL programs.
Character Data Types
The character data types in PL/SQL are used to store alphanumeric values. These include:
- VARCHAR2: The VARCHAR2 data type is used to store variable-length character strings up to a maximum size of 32,767 bytes.
- CHAR: The CHAR data type is used to store fixed-length character strings up to a maximum size of 32,767 bytes.
Date and Time Data Types
To handle date and time-related information, PL/SQL provides the following data types:
- DATE: The DATE data type stores dates ranging from January 1, 4712 BC to December 31, 9999 AD.
- TIMESTAMP: The TIMESTAMP data type stores dates and times with fractional seconds.
Boolean Data Type
The BOOLEAN data type is used to store the truth values TRUE or FALSE. It is often used in conditional statements and loop constructs.
Composite Data Types
PL/SQL also supports composite data types that allow you to define your own structured types. These include:
- RECORD: The RECORD data type allows you to group multiple variables of different data types into a single unit.
- TABLE: The TABLE data type is used to store collections of homogeneous elements, such as an array or a list.
Conclusion
In PL/SQL, a wide range of data types are available for storing and manipulating data. Understanding these data types is crucial for writing efficient and effective PL/SQL programs. By using the appropriate data types, you can ensure accurate storage and retrieval of information from your databases.
Remember: Choosing the right data type not only improves performance but also enhances the readability and maintainability of your code.