REF

Syntax

ref::=

Text description of ref

Purpose

In a SQL statement, REF takes as its argument a correlation variable (table alias) associated with a row of an object table or an object view. A REF value is returned for the object instance that is bound to the variable or row. The sample schema oe contains a type called cust_address_typ, described as follows:

 Attribute                                 Type
 ----------------------------- ----------------
 STREET_ADDRESS                    VARCHAR2(40)
 POSTAL_CODE                       VARCHAR2(10)
 CITY                              VARCHAR2(30)
 STATE_PROVINCE                    VARCHAR2(10)
 COUNTRY_ID                             CHAR(2)

Example

The following example creates a table based on cust_address_typ, inserts a row into the table, and retrieves a REF value for the object instance of the type in the addresses table:

CREATE TABLE addresses OF cust_address_typ;

INSERT INTO addresses VALUES (
   '123 First Street', '4GF H1J', 'Our Town', 'Ourcounty', 'US');

SELECT REF(e) FROM addresses e;

REF(E)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00002802097CD1261E51925B60E0340800208254367CD1261E51905B60E034080020825436010101820
000

See Also: Oracle9i Database Concepts