Question

I am writing a PL SQL block that retrieves all the columns and the data types of the tables in the database. I am able to get the columns , but not the datatypes. Looking for suggestions for a good approach. Any help would be appreciated. My code is as follows

ACCEPT p_1 PROMPT 'Please enter the Table Name'

DECLARE
    v_table_name    VARCHAR2(40) :='&p_1';
    -- First cursor 
    CURSOR get_tables IS    
        SELECT DISTINCT table_name 
        FROM user_tables 
        WHERE UPPER(table_name) = UPPER(v_table_name);
    --Second cursor 
    CURSOR get_columns IS
        SELECT DISTINCT column_name
        FROM user_tab_columns
        WHERE table_name = v_table_name;
    v_column_name   VARCHAR2(100);
    -- Third Cursor
    CURSOR get_types IS
        SELECT data_type 
        FROM user_tab_columns
        WHERE table_name = v_table_name;

    v_data_type user_tab_columns.data_type%type;
BEGIN
    -- Open first cursor
    OPEN get_tables;
    FETCH get_tables INTO v_table_name;
    DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(' ');
    DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Table = ' || v_table_name );
    DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('=========================');
    CLOSE get_tables;
    -- Open second cursor
    OPEN get_columns;
    FETCH get_columns INTO v_column_name;
    WHILE get_columns%FOUND LOOP
        DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('  ' || v_column_name);
        FETCH get_columns INTO v_column_name;
    END LOOP;
    CLOSE get_columns;
    --Open Third Cursor
    OPEN get_types;
    FETCH get_types into v_data_type;
    WHILE get_types%FOUND LOOP
        DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(' ' || v_data_type );
        FETCH get_types into v_data_type;
    END LOOP;

    CLOSE get_types;     
END;

My error states PLS-00371: at most one declaration for ‘V_DATA_TYPE’ is permitted

Answer 1

Not a PLSQL guru but here’s my grain.

Select data_type from user_tab_columns where TABLE_NAME = 'YourTableName'

Props to Eric, check this thread and his answer.

Remember you can use DESC command to describe an Oracle Table, View, Synonym, package or Function. It will give you name, data_type and lengh.
And if this actually works for you, you should be able to get the data for all of your tables, although I’m not a huge fan of cursors, you should do fine.

Try this:

-- Open second cursor
            OPEN get_columns;
            LOOP
            FETCH get_columns INTO v_column_name, v_data_type;
            EXIT WHEN get_columns%NOTFOUND;
            DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('  ' || v_column_name);
            END LOOP;
            CLOSE get_columns;
    END LOOP;

But be careful on the datatype you’ve chosen for v_data_type variable.