1. Database PL/SQL Language Reference
  2. PL/SQL Name Resolution
  3. Differences Between PL/SQL and SQL Name Resolution Rules

Differences Between PL/SQL and SQL Name Resolution Rules

PL/SQL and SQL name resolution rules are very similar. However:

  • PL/SQL rules are less permissive than SQL rules.

    Because most SQL rules are context-sensitive, they recognize as legal more situations than PL/SQL rules do.

  • PL/SQL and SQL resolve qualified names differently.

    For example, when resolving the table name HR.JOBS:

    • PL/SQL searches first for packages, types, tables, and views named HR in the current schema, then for public synonyms, and finally for objects named JOBS in the HR schema.

    • SQL searches first for objects named JOBS in the HR schema, and then for packages, types, tables, and views named HR in the current schema.

To avoid problems caused by the few differences between PL/SQL and SQL name resolution rules, follow the recommendations in "Avoiding Inner Capture in SELECT and DML Statements".

Note:

When the PL/SQL compiler processes a static SQL statement, it sends that statement to the SQL subsystem, which uses SQL rules to resolve names in the statement. For details, see "Resolution of Names in Static SQL Statements".