Skip Headers
Oracle® Database SQL Language Reference
11g Release 2 (11.2)

Part Number E10592-02
Go to Documentation Home
Home
Go to Book List
Book List
Go to Table of Contents
Contents
Go to Index
Index
Go to Master Index
Master Index
Go to Feedback page
Contact Us

Go to previous page
Previous
Go to next page
Next
View PDF

CREATE FUNCTION

Purpose

Functions are defined using PL/SQL. Therefore, this section provides some general information but refers to Oracle Database PL/SQL Language Reference for details of syntax and semantics.

Use the CREATE FUNCTION statement to create a standalone stored function or a call specification.

Note:

You can also create a function as part of a package using the CREATE PACKAGE statement.

See Also:

Prerequisites

To create or replace a function in your own schema, you must have the CREATE PROCEDURE system privilege. To create or replace a function in another user's schema, you must have the CREATE ANY PROCEDURE system privilege.

Syntax

Functions are defined using PL/SQL. Therefore, the syntax diagram in this book shows only the SQL keywords. Please refer to Oracle Database PL/SQL Language Reference for the PL/SQL syntax, semantics, and examples.

create_function::=

Description of create_function.gif follows
Description of the illustration create_function.gif

(plsql_source: See Oracle Database PL/SQL Language Reference.)

Semantics

OR REPLACE

Specify OR REPLACE to re-create the function if it already exists. Use this clause to change the definition of an existing function without dropping, re-creating, and regranting object privileges previously granted on the function. If you redefine a function, then Oracle Database recompiles it.

Users who had previously been granted privileges on a redefined function can still access the function without being regranted the privileges.

If any function-based indexes depend on the function, then Oracle Database marks the indexes DISABLED.

See Also:

ALTER FUNCTION for information on recompiling functions using SQL

plsql_source

See Oracle Database PL/SQL Language Reference for the syntax and semantics of the plsql_source, including examples.