Collections (Oracle PL/SQL's data structure to implement arrays, lists, stacks, queues, etc.) are not only handy in and of themselves, but are used for many key features of this powerful database programming language, including: High performance querying with BULK COLLECT Super-fast, bulk non-query DML operations with FORALL Table functions (functions that can be treated like a table in a SELECT's FROM clause) PL/SQL offers three types of collections - associative arrays, nested tables, and varrays - each with their own characteristics and ideal use cases. If you are not already using collections on a regular basis in PL/SQL, you are really missing out. Use this article as starting point for accessing a number of useful resources for getting up to speed on collections, and putting them to use in your programs. Documentation The PL/SQL User Guide offers detailed coverage of collection features here . It starts by reviewing the differences between collection...
For the last twenty years, I have managed to transform an obsession with PL/SQL into a paying job. How cool is that?