255 OWA_CACHE

The OWA_CACHE package provides an interface that enables the PL/SQL Gateway cache to improve the performance of PL/SQL Web applications.

See Also:

For more information about implementation of this package:

The chapter contains the following topics:

255.1 OWA_CACHE Constants

OWA_CACHE defines several constants to use when specifying parameter values.

  • system_level CONSTANT VARCHAR(6) := 'SYSTEM';

  • user_level CONSTANT VARCHAR(4) := 'USER';

255.2 Summary of OWA_CACHE Subprograms

This table lists the OWA_CACHE subprograms and briefly describes them.

Table 255-1 OWA_CACHE Package Subprograms

Subprogram Description

DISABLE Procedure

Disables the cache for this particular request

GET_ETAG Function

Returns the tag associated with the cached content (used in the Validation technique model only)

GET_LEVEL Function

Returns the caching level (used in the Validation technique model only)

SET_CACHE Procedure

Sets up the cache headers for validation model cache type

SET_EXPIRES Procedure

Sets up the cache headers for expires model cache type

SET_NOT_MODIFIED Procedure

Sets up the headers for a not modified cache hit (used in the Validation technique model only)

SET_SURROGATE_CONTROL Procedure

Sets up the headers for a surrogate-control header for Web cache

255.2.1 DISABLE Procedure

This procedure disables the cache for this particular request.

Syntax

OWA_CACHE.DISABLE;

255.2.2 GET_ETAG Function

This function returns the tag associated with the cached content. It is used in the Validation technique only.

Syntax

OWA_CACHE.GET_ETAG
  RETURN VARCHAR2;

Return Values

The tag for cache hit, otherwise NULL.

255.2.3 GET_LEVEL Function

This returns the caching level. It is used in the Validation technique model only.

Syntax

OWA_CACHE.GET_LEVEL
  RETURN VARCHAR2;

Return Values

The caching level string ('USER' or 'SYSTEM') for cache hit, otherwise NULL.

255.2.4 SET_CACHE Procedure

This procedure sets up the cache headers for validation model cache type.

Syntax

OWA_CACHE.SET_CACHE(
   p_etag        IN       VARCHAR2,
   p_level       IN       VARCHAR2);

Parameters

Table 255-2 SET_CACHE Procedure Parameters

Parameter Description

p_etag

The etag associated with this content

p_level

The caching level ('USER' or 'SYSTEM').

Exceptions

VALUE_ERROR is thrown if

  • p_etag is greater than 55

  • p_level is not 'USER' or 'SYSTEM'

255.2.5 SET_EXPIRES Procedure

This procedure sets up the cache headers for expires model cache type.

Syntax

OWA_CACHE.SET_EXPIRES(
   p_expires      IN       NUMBER,
   p_level        IN       VARCHAR2);

Parameters

Table 255-3 SET_EXPIRES Procedure Parameters

Parameter Description

p_expires

The number of minutes this content is valid.

p_level

The caching level ('USER' or 'SYSTEM').

Exceptions

VALUE_ERROR is thrown if

  • p_expires is negative or zero

  • p_level is not 'USER' or 'SYSTEM'

  • p_expires is > 525600 (1 year)

255.2.6 SET_NOT_MODIFIED Procedure

This procedure sets up the headers for a not-modified cache hit. It is used in the Validation technique only.

Syntax

OWA_CACHE.SET_NOT_MODIFIED;

Exceptions

VALUE_ERROR is thrown if If the etag was not passed in

255.2.7 SET_SURROGATE_CONTROL Procedure

This procedure sets the headers for a surrogate-control header for Web cache

Syntax

OWA_CACHE.SET_SURROGATE_CONTROL(
   p_value        IN       VARCHAR2);

Parameters

Table 255-4 SET_SURROGATE_CONTROL Procedure Parameters

Parameter Description

p_value

The value to be passed as the Surrogate-Control header.

Exceptions

VALUE_ERROR is thrown if If p_value is greater than 55 in length.