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The PL/SQL Interpreter Interface

Standard toolbar buttons All panes in the Interpreter share one toolbar. With the exception of Close, the following buttons are only activated during suspended execution of a program unit and are used for debugging.

Step In

Resumes execution of the suspended program unit to the next executable statement.

Step Over

Resumes execution of the suspended program unit to the next executable statement, stepping over any calls to nested subprograms.

Step Out

Resumes execution of a nested subprogram, suspending execution at the next executable statement in the calling program unit

Go

Resumes execution of the suspended program unit to the end of the program unit, or to the next debug action.

Reset

Exits the current debug level. If the current debug level is 1, suspended execution is abandoned.

Close

Closes the Interpreter window.

Navigator toolbar buttons If the Navigator pane is displayed, the following buttons also appear in the button bar:

Create

Creates a new instance of the currently selected object or node.

Delete

Deletes the selected object with confirmation.

Expand

Expands the first level of subnode for the currently selected node.

Collapse

Collapses the current level of subnode of the currently selected node.

Expand All

Expands all level of subnodes for the currently selected node.

Collapse All

Collapses all level of subnode for the currently selected node.

Source pane The Source pane displays a read-only copy of the currently selected program unit. Source lines are numbered in the left margin. The following symbols may also appear in the left margin:

|

Specifies the current source location.

=>

Specifies the current scope location.

B(n)

Specifies the location of a breakpoint, where n is the corresponding debug action ID.

T(n)

Specifies the location of a debug trigger, where n is the corresponding debug action ID.

The current source location changes as a result of Interpreter commands (e.g., LIST) or when program unit execution is interrupted by a debug action (e.g., a breakpoint). The Source pane provides the following commands from a popup menu:

Break

Displays the Breakpoint dialog, where you can define a new breakpoint.

Trigger

Displays the Trigger dialog, where you can define a new debug trigger.

Edit

Displays the PL/SQL editor, where you can edit the current program unit.

Not all systems provide support for popup menus. The above commands are also available from the Debug menu.

Split Bars Split bars enable you to change the relative amount of space occupied by each pane in the Interpreter. When the Interpreter initially appears, a split bar is located between the Source pane and the Interpreter pane. If you are using the modal Interpreter, or have inserted the Navigator pane in the modeless Interpreter, a second split bar appears.

Navigator pane The Object Navigator pane allows you to view the current call stack, as well as view and optionally modify the values of local variables and parameters at the current scope location while you are debugging.

Interpreter pane The Interpreter pane provides a command line interface to PL/SQL and SQL. You can enter PL/SQL statements or blocks, Interpreter commands, or SQL statements after the PL/SQL> prompt.

SQL*Plus statements and syntax are not supported.

Multi-line Commands While entering PL/SQL syntax at the PL/SQL> prompt, you can press Return at any time to get a secondary prompt in the form +>. You can display as many subsequent secondary prompts as you need before executing the code with a terminating semicolon (;).

Debug Levels The current debug level is reflected by a new prompt in the Interpreter pane, which includes a prefix containing the current debug level number. For example, the Interpreter prompt at debug level 1 appears as shown below:

(debug 1)PL/SQL>

Popup Menu The Interpreter pane provides the following commands from a popup menu:

Clear

Discards all of the text in the Interpreter pane and issues a new prompt.

New Prompt

Issues a new prompt in the Interpreter pane. Any input after the previous prompt is ignored.

Not all systems provide support for a popup menu.