Oracle Database: Basics of PL/SQL Language

The Oracle Database: Basics of PL/SQL Language course provides an overview of PL/SQL, Oracle's procedural language for SQL, focusing on its structures and their execution within an Oracle Database environment. Topics include basic PL/SQL blocks, procedures, and functions, as well as data types, control statements, and error-handling mechanisms. Participants will learn how to declare variables, write control structures, work with cursors, and handle exceptions effectively. With Oracle SQL Developer as the main tool, this course emphasizes practical exercises that build core skills for PL/SQL programming, making it suitable for database administrators, system administrators, and developers who want to develop, maintain, and troubleshoot PL/SQL code blocks.

The course begins with an introduction to PL/SQL, covering its purpose, key capabilities, and advantages in Oracle database environments. Trainees learn how to structure PL/SQL blocks, starting with anonymous blocks and moving toward creating stored procedures and functions.

Participants then explore the fundamentals of declaring and working with variables, writing executable commands, and applying coding conventions in PL/SQL blocks. Modules on database interaction cover features of the SELECT statement within PL/SQL, data manipulation, and transaction management. Control structures—including IF, CASE, and loop types—are introduced to enable efficient programming logic within PL/SQL blocks.

The course also covers composite data types, such as user-defined records and associative arrays, along with cursor management techniques for data retrieval. Exception handling is presented in detail, enabling participants to define and handle errors effectively in PL/SQL. The final modules focus on creating stored procedures and functions, working with packages, and using triggers for automation within the Oracle Database.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Analyze and interpret PL/SQL code effectively.
• Develop and execute PL/SQL anonymous blocks and stored procedures.
• Use PL/SQL control structures, including loops and conditional statements.
• Manage cursors and handle exceptions to create reliable code.
• Work with PL/SQL packages and triggers for modular and automated functionality.

The course combines theory (60%) and hands-on practice (40%), with practical labs focusing on writing and executing PL/SQL code, creating stored procedures, and working with Oracle SQL Developer. This approach allows participants to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and gain confidence in PL/SQL programming.

After completing the training, trainees will be able to:

1. Read and analyze PL/SQL code.
2. Create anonymous blocks and store executable PL/SQL code blocks.
3. Use basic algorithmic constructions of the language.

Introduction to PL/SQL: Overview, capabilities, and benefits of PL/SQL (Theory: 1h).

1. Declaring Variables and Writing Blocks: Anonymous blocks, variable declaration, and block execution (Theory: 2h, Practice: 1h).
2. Database Interaction: SELECT statements in PL/SQL, DML commands, and transaction management (Theory: 2h, Practice: 1h).
3. Control Structures: IF, CASE, loops, and control statements (Theory: 2h, Practice: 1h).
4. Composite Data Types: Working with records and arrays (Theory: 1h, Practice: 1h).
5. Cursor Management: Implicit and explicit cursors, FOR loops, and parameterized cursors (Theory: 2h, Practice: 1h).
6. Exception Handling: Defining and handling exceptions, custom error messages (Theory: 2h, Practice: 1h).
7. Stored Procedures and Functions: Creation, usage, and maintenance (Theory: 2h, Practice: 1h).
8. Working with Packages and Triggers: Package structure, types of triggers, and their implementation (Theory: 2h, Practice: 1h).