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GOTO Statement

The GOTO statement transfers control to a labeled block or statement.

Topics:

• Syntax

• Semantics

• Usage

• Examples

• Related Topics

Syntax

goto_statement ::=

Description of the illustration goto_statement.gif

Semantics

label

Identifies either a block or a statement (see "plsql_block ::=" and "statement ::=" and "label").

If the GOTO statement cannot find label in the current block, it transfers control to the first enclosing block in which label appears.

Usage

If a GOTO statement exits a cursor FOR loop prematurely, the cursor closes.

GOTO Statement Restrictions

• A GOTO statement cannot transfer control into an IF statement, CASE statement, LOOP statement, or sub-block.

• A GOTO statement cannot transfer control from one IF statement clause to another, or from one CASE statement WHEN clause to another.

• A GOTO statement cannot transfer control out of a subprogram.

• A GOTO statement cannot transfer control into an exception handler.

• A GOTO statement cannot transfer control from an exception handler back into the current block (but it can transfer control from an exception handler into an enclosing block).

Examples

• Example 4-28, "GOTO Statement"

• Example 4-31, "GOTO Statement Transfers Control to Enclosing Block"

• Example 4-32, "GOTO Statement Cannot Transfer Control into IF Statement"

Related Topics

In this chapter:

• "Block"

In other chapters:

• "GOTO Statement"