Be aware of the restrictions on SQL functions before creating
them or when troubleshooting problems related to their implementation
and use.
The following restrictions apply to SQL functions:
- SQL table functions cannot contain compiled compound statements.
- SQL scalar functions containing compiled compound statements cannot
be invoked in partitioned database environments.
- By definition, SQL functions cannot contain cursors defined with
the WITH RETURN clause.
- Compiled SQL scalar functions cannot be invoked in partitioned
database environments.
- The following data types are not supported
within compiled SQL functions: structured data types, LONG VARCHAR data type, and LONG VARGRAPHIC data
type. The XML data type is not supported in Version 9.7 Fix Pack
5 or earlier fix pack releases.
- In this version, use of the DECLARE TYPE statement within compiled
SQL functions is not supported.
- Compiled SQL functions (including PL/SQL functions) must
not contain references to federated objects.