Preamble

Oracle PL/SQL Functions
| Function | Description |
| BFILENAME | The Oracle/PLSQL function returns the BFILENAME locator corresponding to the operating system’s physical filename file name. |
| CARDINALITY | Oracle/PLSQL function CARDINALITY returns the number of elements in the nested table. |
| COALESCE | Oracle/PLSQL function COALESCE returns the first non-zero expression from the list. If all expressions are defined as Null, the COALESCE function will return Null. |
| DECODE | Oracle/PLSQL function DECODE has functionality of IF-THEN-ELSE operator. |
| EMPTY_BLOB | Oracle/PLSQL function EMPTY_BLOB can be used to initialize empty LOB columns in INSERT or UPDATE operators or it can be used to initialize LOB variable. |
| EMPTY_CLOB | Oracle/PLSQL function EMPTY_CLOB can be used to initialize empty LOB columns in INSERT or UPDATE operators or it can be used to initialize LOB variable. |
| GROUP_ID | Oracle/PLSQL function GROUP_ID assigns a number to each group as a result of GROUP BY operator. GROUP_ID function is most often used to identify duplicate groups in query results. |
| LNNVL | Oracle/PLSQL function LNNVL is used in the WHERE SQL query sentence to evaluate the state when one of the operands may contain the value NULL. |
| NANVL | The Oracle/PLSQL function NANVL allows you to replace a value for a floating point number such as BINARY_FLOAT or BINARY_DOUBLE when Nan (Not a number) is encountered. This is most often used to convert the value Nan (Not a number) to NULL or 0. |
| NULLIF | Oracle/PLSQL function NULLIF compares expr1 and expr2. If expr1 and expr2 are equal, the function NULLIF returns NULL. Otherwise, it returns expr1. |
| NVL | Oracle/PLSQL function NVL allows you to replace the value when there is a Null value. |
| NVL2 | Oracle/PLSQL function NVL2 extends the functionality of the NVL function. It replaces the value when a Null value is encountered and also when a non-Null value is encountered. |
| SQLCODE | The SQLCODE function returns the error number associated with an exceptional situation. This function can only be used in the exception handling section of your code. |
| SQLERRM | The SQLERRM function returns an error message related to an exceptional situation. This function can only be used in the exception handling section of your code. |
| SYS_CONTEXT | Oracle/PLSQL function SYS_CONTEXT is used to get information about the state of Oracle environment. |
| UID | Oracle/PLSQL function UID returns an integer number identifying the current database user. |
| USER | Oracle/PLSQL function USER returns user_id from the current Oracle session. |
| USERENV | Oracle/PLSQL function USERENV is used to get information about the current Oracle session. Although this function still exists in Oracle for backward compatibility, it is recommended to use the sys_context function instead. |
About Enteros
Enteros offers a patented database performance management SaaS platform. It proactively identifies root causes of complex business-impacting database scalability and performance issues across a growing number of clouds, RDBMS, NoSQL, and machine learning database platforms.
The views expressed on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Enteros Inc. This blog may contain links to the content of third-party sites. By providing such links, Enteros Inc. does not adopt, guarantee, approve, or endorse the information, views, or products available on such sites.
Are you interested in writing for Enteros’ Blog? Please send us a pitch!
RELATED POSTS
How to Optimize Retail Sector Growth with Enteros Cloud FinOps, RevOps Efficiency, Cost Attribution, Cost Estimation, and AI SQL
- 9 April 2026
- Database Performance Management
Introduction The retail sector is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by eCommerce expansion, omnichannel experiences, AI-powered personalization, and data-driven decision-making. Retailers today operate across multiple platforms—online stores, mobile apps, physical outlets, and global marketplaces—creating highly complex and data-intensive environments. As retail businesses scale, they face a critical challenge:how to drive growth while controlling costs, optimizing … Continue reading “How to Optimize Retail Sector Growth with Enteros Cloud FinOps, RevOps Efficiency, Cost Attribution, Cost Estimation, and AI SQL”
How to Optimize Healthcare Growth Management with Enteros Database Performance and AIOps Platform
Introduction The healthcare sector is rapidly evolving with the adoption of digital technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and real-time patient monitoring. These innovations are transforming how healthcare providers deliver services, improve patient outcomes, and manage operations. However, as healthcare organizations scale, they face a critical challenge:how to manage growth efficiently … Continue reading “How to Optimize Healthcare Growth Management with Enteros Database Performance and AIOps Platform”
How to Drive eCommerce Revenue Growth with Enteros Growth Management, RevOps Efficiency, and Cloud FinOps
- 8 April 2026
- Database Performance Management
Introduction The eCommerce sector has witnessed explosive growth over the past decade, fueled by digital transformation, mobile shopping, AI-driven personalization, and global online marketplaces. From startups to enterprise retailers, businesses are scaling rapidly to meet rising customer expectations for speed, convenience, and seamless experiences. However, this rapid growth introduces a critical challenge:how to increase revenue … Continue reading “How to Drive eCommerce Revenue Growth with Enteros Growth Management, RevOps Efficiency, and Cloud FinOps”
How to Drive Healthcare Sector Performance Growth with Enteros Database Management and AI SQL Optimization
Introduction The healthcare sector is undergoing a significant digital transformation driven by electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, AI-powered diagnostics, and real-time patient monitoring systems. Healthcare organizations are increasingly relying on data to deliver better patient outcomes, improve operational efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance. However, with the exponential growth of healthcare data comes a major challenge:how … Continue reading “How to Drive Healthcare Sector Performance Growth with Enteros Database Management and AI SQL Optimization”