Oracle: Possible to return nothing from PL/SQL function?

Question

As the title says, is it possible to return nothing from a PL/SQL function?

My function is as follows, and I am getting errors when I leave out the return:

create or replace
FUNCTION DeleteAttributes
(code IN varchar2)
CURSOR c_attributes = SELECT ...

BEGIN
    FOR attribute_record IN c_attributes
    LOOP
        ...
    END LOOP;
END;

A function...without a return...is a procedure. A donut...without a hole...is a danish. — Bob Jarvis - Слава Україні
– Bob Jarvis - Слава Україні, Commented Apr 21, 2012 at 3:11

FrustratedWithFormsDesigner · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-20 20:26:13Z

19

Oracle PL/SQL functions must have a return. If you declare your subprogram as a procedure, then it won't give you errors when it is lacking a return (procedures can't have a return).

create or replace
PROCEDURE DeleteAttributes
(code IN varchar2)
CURSOR c_attributes = SELECT ...

BEGIN
    FOR attribute_record IN c_attributes
    LOOP
        ...
    END LOOP;
END;

answered Apr 20, 2012 at 20:26

FrustratedWithFormsDesigner

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4 Comments

DCookie Over a year ago

Procedures CAN have a return statement. You can't return a value, and it's not required, but you can use RETURN in your procedure.

FrustratedWithFormsDesigner Over a year ago

@DCookie: So what does RETURN; do in a procedure? Does it just end execution of the procedure of it right there?

DCookie Over a year ago

It leaves the procedure and returns to the caller.

DJ180 Over a year ago

Thanks, I wasn't aware that a function must always return a value. This helps

DCookie · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-20 21:43:28Z

4

By definition, a function returns a value, so you must have a RETURN statement. Have a look at the syntax definition for a function in the Oracle documentation. RETURN is not an option.

I'm not even sure why you would want to do this.

edited Apr 20, 2012 at 21:43

answered Apr 20, 2012 at 20:30

DCookie

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