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| Part II |

# Part II: PL/SQL Language Elements

Part II of this book describes the essential language constructs provided by PL/SQL. It includes extensive examples of these constructs and explains how to use them most effectively.

- Chapter 4, Variables and Program Data, explains variables and constants in PL/SQL programs and presents the various PL/SQL datatypes.

- Chapter 5, Conditional and Sequential Control, describes how to use various types of IF, THEN, and ELSE constructs, as well as the NULL and GOTO statements.

- Chapter 6, Database Interaction and Cursors, describes how to use explicit and implicit cursors.

- Chapter 7, Loops, explains the different types of loops -- LOOP, FOR LOOP, and WHILE LOOP.

- Chapter 8, Exception Handlers, discusses the various types of exceptions, including predefined, named programmer-defined, unnamed internal, and unnamed programmer-defined.

- Chapter 9, Records in PL/SQL, describes how to use table-based, cursor-based, and programmer-defined records.

- Chapter 10, PL/SQL Tables, explains how to declare and use tables, and how to apply them to a variety of tasks.

3.7 Documenting the Entire Package |  | 4. Variables and Program Data

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