[sql] For loop in Oracle SQL

I am new to Oracle and I am unaware about using for loop in Oracle SQL (not PL/SQL).

I had a requirement to increase the number by +1 in the query and execute the statements; is it possible to use a for loop in SQL?

This question is related to sql oracle

The answer is


You are pretty confused my friend. There are no LOOPS in SQL, only in PL/SQL. Here's a few examples based on existing Oracle table - copy/paste to see results:

-- Numeric FOR loop --
set serveroutput on -->> do not use in TOAD --
DECLARE
  k NUMBER:= 0;
BEGIN
  FOR i IN 1..10 LOOP
    k:= k+1;
    dbms_output.put_line(i||' '||k);
 END LOOP;
END;
/

-- Cursor FOR loop --
set serveroutput on
DECLARE
   CURSOR c1 IS SELECT * FROM scott.emp;
   i NUMBER:= 0;
BEGIN
  FOR e_rec IN c1 LOOP
  i:= i+1;
    dbms_output.put_line(i||chr(9)||e_rec.empno||chr(9)||e_rec.ename);
  END LOOP;
END;
/

-- SQL example to generate 10 rows --
SELECT 1 + LEVEL-1 idx
  FROM dual
CONNECT BY LEVEL <= 10
/

You will certainly be able to do that using WITH clause, or use analytic functions available in Oracle SQL.

With some effort you'd be able to get anything out of them in terms of cycles as in ordinary procedural languages. Both approaches are pretty powerful compared to ordinary SQL.

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_with_clause.htm

http://www.orafaq.com/node/55

It requires some effort though. Don't be afraid to post a concrete example.

Using simple pseudo table DUAL helps too.