Question

In SQL Server, you can declare a table variable (DECLARE @table TABLE), which is produced while the script is run and then removed from memory.

Does Oracle have a similar function? Or am I stuck with CREATE/DROP statements that segment my hard drive?

Answer 1

Yes.

Declare TABLE TYPE variables in a PL/SQL declare block. Table variables are also known as index-by table or array. The table variable contains one column which must be a scalar or record datatype plus a primary key of type BINARY_INTEGER. Syntax:

DECLARE TYPE type_name IS TABLE OF (column_type | variable%TYPE | table.column%TYPE [NOT NULL] INDEX BY BINARY INTEGER;

— Then to declare a TABLE variable of this type: variable_name type_name;

— Assigning values to a TABLE variable: variable_name(n).field_name := ‘some text’; — Where ‘n’ is the index value

Ref: http://www.iselfschooling.com/syntax/OraclePLSQLSyntax.htm

You might want to also take a look at Global Temporary Tables