SERIALLY_REUSABLE Pragma

The pragma SERIALLY_REUSABLE indicates that the package state is needed only for the duration of one call to the server (for example, a PL/SQL anonymous block, an OCI call to the database or a stored procedure call through a database link). After this call, the storage for the package variables can be reused, reducing the memory overhead for long-running sessions. For more information, see Oracle Database Application Developer's Guide - Fundamentals.

Syntax

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Description of the illustration serially_reusable_pragma.gif

Keyword and Parameter Description

PRAGMA

Signifies that the statement is a pragma (compiler directive). Pragmas are processed at compile time, not at run time. They do not affect the meaning of a program; they simply convey information to the compiler.

Usage Notes

This pragma is appropriate for packages that declare large temporary work areas that are used once and not needed during subsequent database calls in the same session.

You can mark a bodiless package as serially reusable. If a package has a spec and body, you must mark both. You cannot mark only the body.

The global memory for serially reusable packages is pooled in the System Global Area (SGA), not allocated to individual users in the User Global Area (UGA). That way, the package work area can be reused. When the call to the server ends, the memory is returned to the pool. Each time the package is reused, its public variables are initialized to their default values or to NULL.

Serially reusable packages cannot be accessed from database triggers or other PL/SQL subprograms that are called from SQL statements. If you try, Oracle generates an error.

Examples

The following example creates a serially reusable package:

CREATE PACKAGE pkg1 IS
   PRAGMA SERIALLY_REUSABLE;
   num NUMBER := 0;
   PROCEDURE init_pkg_state(n NUMBER);
   PROCEDURE print_pkg_state;
END pkg1;
/

CREATE PACKAGE BODY pkg1 IS
   PRAGMA SERIALLY_REUSABLE;
   PROCEDURE init_pkg_state (n NUMBER) IS
   BEGIN
      pkg1.num := n;
   END;
   PROCEDURE print_pkg_state IS
   BEGIN
      dbms_output.put_line('Num: ' || pkg1.num);
   END;
END pkg1;
/

DROP PACKAGE pkg1;