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Include REF Item Property

Description

Creates a hidden item called REF for this block. This item is used internally to coordinate master-detail relationships built on a REF link. This item also can be used programmatically to access the object Id (OID) of a row in an object table.

Applies to

Blocks based on object tables; master-detail REF links, in particular.

Set Oracle Forms

Default

Default is No. However, when creating a relationship based on a REF pointer, Oracle Forms sets this property to Yes.

Required/Optional

Required for a master block in a master-detail relationship based on a REF pointer.

Usage Notes

This REF item is used to obtain the object-ids (OIDs) of the rows in an object table.

Each row in an object table is identified by a unique object id (OID). The OID is a unique identifier for that row. These OIDs form an implicit column in an object table.

In a REF pointer relationship between two tables, the REF column in the pointing table holds copies of the OID values (addresses) of the pointed-to table. This forms the link between the two tables.

The Data Block wizard sets this property to Yes and creates this REF item when you build a master-detail relationship based on a REF pointer. The item is named REF, and is in the master block. It is not visible to the end user. In addition, the wizard sets the Copy_Value_From_Item property in the detail block to access this new REF. This is how Oracle Forms coordinates the master-detail relationship at runtime.