Oracle DUMP function

Preamble

The Oracle/PLSQL DUMP function returns a value of varchar2, which includes data type code, length in bytes, and the internal representation of the expression.

Oracle/PLSQL DUMP function syntax

DUMP( expression, [return_format_id], [start_position_id], [length_id] )

Parameters and function arguments

• expression – expression for analysis.
• return_format_id – is not obligatory. It defines the format of the returned value. This parameter can be any of the following values:

• start_position and length are optional. They determine which part of the internal view will be displayed. If these parameters are not specified, the DUMP function will show the entire internal representation of the decimal number system.

The DUMP function returns VARCHAR2.

If return_format, start_position and length parameters are omitted, the DUMP function will return the entire internal representation in decimal notation.

The DUMP function can be used in the following versions of Oracle/PLSQL

Oracle 12c, Oracle 11g, Oracle 10g, Oracle 9i, Oracle 8i

Let’s look at some examples of the DUMP function and learn how to use the DUMP function in Oracle PLSQL.

SQL> SELECT DUMP('abc') FROM DUAL;

--Result: Typ=96 Len=3: 97.98.99

SQL> SELECT DUMP('abc', 10) FROM DUAL;

--Result: Typ=96 Len=3: 97.98.99

SQL> SELECT DUMP('abc', 16) FROM DUAL;

--Result: Typ=96 Len=3: 61,62,63.

SQL> SELECT DUMP('abc', 1016) FROM DUAL;

--Result: Typ=96 Len=3 CharacterSet=CL8MSWIN1251: 61.62.63

SQL> SELECT DUMP('abc', 1017) FROM DUAL;

--Result: Typ=96 Len=3 CharacterSet=CL8MSWIN1251: a,b,c

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