How to Check DBMS_OUTPUT in SQL Developer
DBMS_OUTPUT is a useful feature in Oracle Database that allows developers and administrators to display messages from PL/SQL blocks, procedures, functions, and packages. SQL Developer, being a powerful tool for Oracle Database development, provides an easy way to check the output of DBMS_OUTPUT. In this article, we will discuss the steps to check DBMS_OUTPUT in SQL Developer.
Step 1: Enable DBMS_OUTPUT
Before you can check the output of DBMS_OUTPUT in SQL Developer, you need to ensure that it is enabled in your Oracle Database session. To enable DBMS_OUTPUT, execute the following command in SQLPlus or SQL Developer:
“`sql
SET SERVEROUTPUT ON;
“`
Step 2: Write PL/SQL Code with DBMS_OUTPUT
Now that DBMS_OUTPUT is enabled, you can write PL/SQL code that uses the `DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE` procedure to display messages. Here’s an example of a simple PL/SQL block that prints a message:
“`sql
DECLARE
v_message VARCHAR2(100);
BEGIN
v_message := ‘Hello, World!’;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(v_message);
END;
“`
Step 3: Execute the PL/SQL Code
After writing the PL/SQL code, you need to execute it to see the output. In SQL Developer, you can execute the code by clicking the “Run” button or pressing the “F5” key. If you are using SQLPlus, you can execute the code by pressing the “Enter” key.
Step 4: Check DBMS_OUTPUT Output in SQL Developer
Once the PL/SQL code is executed, you can check the output of DBMS_OUTPUT in SQL Developer. Look for the “DBMS_OUTPUT” tab at the bottom of the SQL Developer window. This tab will display the messages that were printed using DBMS_OUTPUT. In our example, you should see the following output:
“`
Hello, World!
“`
Step 5: Disable DBMS_OUTPUT (Optional)
After you have finished checking the output of DBMS_OUTPUT, you may want to disable it to avoid cluttering your session with unnecessary messages. To disable DBMS_OUTPUT, execute the following command in SQLPlus or SQL Developer:
“`sql
SET SERVEROUTPUT OFF;
“`
Conclusion
Checking DBMS_OUTPUT in SQL Developer is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily enable, write, execute, and view the output of DBMS_OUTPUT in your Oracle Database sessions. This feature is particularly useful for debugging and testing PL/SQL code.
