Question

I have a function that calls a package Call_Package. Within this package I have a procedure Validate_Procedure, and within this procedure I have a variable Entity_Flag.

The function calls my package as such:

BEGIN
Call_Package(<params>);
END

the ‘Call_Package’ contains my procedure Validate_Procedure as such:

Validate_Procedure(<paramA>, <paramB>)

within the procedure I do stuff, like normal:

Validate_Procedure(<params>) IS
BEGIN
 IF <paramA> THEN
  Entity_Flag = 1
 Else <paramB> THEN
  Entity_Flag = 2
 END IF
END

my question is, can I reference the procedural variable in my original function, like so:

BEGIN
Call_Package(<params>);
IF Call_Package.Validate_Procedure.Entity_Flag = 2 THEN
   {do stuff}
END IF
END

Answer 1

First, you cannot call a package. A package is not an executable entity. It is simply a collection of procedures, functions, package variables, etc.

If Entity_Flag is a local variable within the Validate_Procedure procedure, you cannot reference it from outside Validate_Procedure. In the code you posted showing how the Validate_Procedure procedure is defined, however, you are not declaring Entity_Flag. That may be an oversight or it may indicate that Entity_Flag is not a local variable at all. Perhaps it is a package global variable. If the variable is defined in the package specification, you could reference it outside the package, as Call_Package.Entity_Flag. If the variable is defined in the package body, however, you can only reference it from inside another PL/SQL block defined in the package body.