%TYPE Attribute

The %TYPE attribute lets you declare a constant, variable, array element, record field, or subprogram parameter to be of the same data type a previously declared variable, field, record, nested table, or database column. 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

• Constraints (unless the referenced item is a database column)

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

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

Topics:

• Syntax

• Semantics

• Examples

• Related Topics

Syntax

%type_attribute ::=

Description of the illustration type_attribute.gif

Semantics

collection_name

The name of a collection.

column_name

The name of a column of a database table.

cursor_variable_name

The name of a cursor variable. Only the value of another cursor variable can be assigned to a cursor variable.

db_table_name

The name of a database table that is accessible when the declaration is elaborated.

field_name

The name of a record field.

object_name

The name of an instance of an ADT.

record_name

The name of a record.

variable_name

The name of a variable.

Examples

• Example 2-13, "Declaring Variable of Same Type as Database Column"

• Example 2-14, "Declaring Variable of Same Type as Another Variable"

• Example 5-5, "Declaring a Procedure Parameter as a Nested Table"

• Example 5-7, "Specifying Collection Element Types with %TYPE and %ROWTYPE"

• Example 5-42, "Declaring and Initializing Record Types"

• Example 6-10, "Fetching Bulk Data with a Cursor"

Related Topics

In this chapter:

• "Constant"

• "%ROWTYPE Attribute"

• "Variable"

In other chapters:

• "%TYPE Attribute"