A script-enabled browser is required for this page to function properly.

About Record Groups

A record group is an internal Oracle Forms data structure that has a column/row framework similar to a database table. However, unlike database tables, record groups are separate objects that belong to the form module in which they are defined. Record Groups are not designed to be a replacement for database tables while your application is running. They may be optimal for relatively small Lists of lookup values, or medium-sized data structures for application record-keeping on the client side.

For new applications, you should also consider the Table of Records construct provided by PL/SQL V2.3. A Table of Records is often more efficient in its memory usage and is generally faster to access.

However, a record group can be constructed dynamically at runtime, whereas the structure of a table of records is determined at design-time. If flexibility of structure is required by your application, use a Record Group rather than a Table of Records.

Programmatically, Record Groups can be used whenever the functionality offered by a two-dimensional array of multiple data types is desirable. A record group can have an unlimited number of columns of type CHAR, NUMBER, or DATE provided that the total number of columns does not exceed 64K. Record Groups column names cannot exceed 30 characters.

Record Groups built from a query can store records from database tables much like a database view, with the added advantage that the record group is local to Oracle Forms, rather than existing in the database. Also, the SELECT statement used to create and populate a query record group can be constructed dynamically at runtime.


About record group types

About record group values

About record groups and Lists of values (LOVs)

Creating a query record group at design time

Creating a query record group at runtime

Creating and populating a non-query record group