A package is a PL/SQL object that groups related procedures, functions, variables, cursors, and other PL/SQL constructs. Each package has a specification and a body. The package specification lists the objects you can access when you use the package. The body fully defines all the objects in the package and can contain additional objects ("private" constructs) used only for the internal workings of the packaged objects. Packages are especially useful because they allow you to create global variables.
Oracle provides several packaged procedures that you can use when building or debugging your PL/SQL-based applications. Your PL/SQL code can make use of the procedures, functions, and exceptions in the following client-side built-in packages:
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