18.19 GET_COLUMN_POSITION Function

This function returns the array index for a given column alias. In order to do this lookup operation only once, Oracle recommends you to use GET_COLUMN_POSITION function before entering the NEXT_ROW loop. This saves on computing resources.

Syntax

FUNCTION GET_COLUMN_POSITION (
    p_context           IN t_context, 
    p_column_name       IN VARCHAR2,
    p_attribute_label   IN VARCHAR2  DEFAULT NULL,
    p_is_required       IN BOOLEAN   DEFAULT FALSE,
    p_data_type         IN VARCHAR2  DEFAULT c_data_type_varchar2 )
    RETURN PLS_INTEGER;

Parameters

Table 18-17 GET_COLUMN_POSITION Function Parameters

Parameter	Description
p_context	Context object obtained with one of the OPEN_ functions.
p_attribute_label	Attribute label to format error messages.
p_column_name	Column name.
p_is_required	Indicates whether this is a required column.
p_data_type	Indicates the requested data type.

Returns

The position of the column in the query result set. Throws an exception when p_is_required or p_data_type prerequisites are not met.