PostgreSQL 7.1.3 Documentation
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# 24.5. Porting from Oracle PL/SQL

> Author: Roberto Mello (`<rmello@fslc.usu.edu>`)

This section explains differences between Oracle's PL/SQL and PostgreSQL's PL/pgSQL languages in the hopes of helping developers port applications from Oracle to PostgreSQL. Most of the code here is from the ArsDigita Clickstream module that I ported to PostgreSQL when I took an internship with OpenForce Inc. in the Summer of 2000.

PL/pgSQL is similar to PL/SQL in many aspects. It is a block structured, imperative language (all variables have to be declared). PL/SQL has many more features than its PostgreSQL counterpart, but PL/pgSQL allows for a great deal of functionality and it is being improved constantly.

## 24.5.1. Main Differences

Some things you should keep in mind when porting from Oracle to PostgreSQL:

- No default parameters in PostgreSQL.

- You can overload functions in PostgreSQL. This is often used to work around the lack of default parameters.

- Assignments, loops and conditionals are similar.

- No need for cursors in PostgreSQL, just put the query in the FOR statement (see example below)

- In PostgreSQL you need to escape single quotes. See Section 24.5.1.1.

### 24.5.1.1. Quote Me on That: Escaping Single Quotes

In PostgreSQL you need to escape single quotes inside your function definition. This can lead to quite amusing code at times, especially if you are creating a function that generates other function(s), as in Example 24-6. One thing to keep in mind when escaping lots of single quotes is that, except for the beginning/ending quotes, all the others will come in even quantity.

Table 24-1 gives the scoop. (You'll love this little chart.)

Table 24-1. Single Quotes Escaping Chart

No. of Quotes | Usage | Example | Result
--- | --- | --- | ---

1

To begin/terminate function bodies

    CREATE FUNCTION foo() RETURNS INTEGER AS '...'
    LANGUAGE 'plpgsql';

as is

2

In assignments, SELECTs, to delimit strings, etc.

    a_output := ''Blah'';
    SELECT * FROM users WHERE f_name=''foobar'';

`SELECT * FROM users WHERE f_name='foobar';`

4

When you need two single quotes in your resulting string without terminating that string.

    a_output := a_output || '' AND name
        LIKE ''''foobar'''' AND ...''

`AND name LIKE 'foobar' AND ...`

6

When you want double quotes in your resulting string and terminate that string.

    a_output := a_output || '' AND name
        LIKE ''''foobar''''''

`AND name LIKE 'foobar'`

10

When you want two single quotes in the resulting string (which accounts for 8 quotes) and terminate that string (2 more). You will probably only need that if you were using a function to generate other functions (like in Example 24-6).

    a_output := a_output || '' if v_'' ||
        referrer_keys.kind || '' like ''''''''''
        || referrer_keys.key_string || ''''''''''
        then return ''''''  || referrer_keys.referrer_type
        || ''''''; end if;'';

`if v_<...> like ''<...>'' then return ''<...>''; end if;`

## 24.5.2. Porting Functions

Example 24-5. A Simple Function

Here is an Oracle function:

    CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION cs_fmt_browser_version(v_name IN varchar, v_version IN varchar)
    RETURN varchar IS
    BEGIN
        IF v_version IS NULL THEN
            RETURN v_name;
        END IF;
        RETURN v_name || '/' || v_version;
    END;
    /
    SHOW ERRORS;

Let's go through this function and see the differences to PL/pgSQL:

- The `OR REPLACE` clause is not allowed. You will have to explicitly drop the function before creating it to achieve similar results.

- PostgreSQL does not have named parameters. You have to explicitly alias them inside your function.

- Oracle can have `IN`, `OUT`, and `INOUT` parameters passed to functions. The `INOUT`, for example, means that the parameter will receive a value and return another. PostgreSQL only has "IN" parameters and functions can return only a single value.

- The `RETURN` key word in the function prototype (not the function body) becomes `RETURNS` in PostgreSQL.

- On PostgreSQL functions are created using single quotes as delimiters, so you have to escape single quotes inside your functions (which can be quite annoying at times; see Section 24.5.1.1).

- The `/show errors` command does not exist in PostgreSQL.

So let's see how this function would be look like ported to PostgreSQL:

    DROP FUNCTION cs_fmt_browser_version(varchar, varchar);
    CREATE FUNCTION cs_fmt_browser_version(varchar, varchar)
    RETRUNS varchar AS '
    DECLARE
        v_name ALIAS FOR $1;
        v_version ALIAS FOR $2;
    BEGIN
        IF v_version IS NULL THEN
            return v_name;
        END IF;
        RETURN v_name || ''/'' || v_version;
    END;
    ' LANGUAGE 'plpgsql';

Example 24-6. A Function that Creates Another Function

The following procedure grabs rows from a `SELECT` statement and builds a large function with the results in `IF` statements, for the sake of efficiency. Notice particularly the differences in cursors, `FOR` loops, and the need to escape single quotes in PostgreSQL.

    create or replace procedure cs_update_referrer_type_proc is
        cursor referrer_keys is
            select * from cs_referrer_keys
            order by try_order;

        a_output varchar(4000);
    begin
        a_output := 'create or replace function cs_find_referrer_type(v_host IN varchar, v_domain IN varchar,
    v_url IN varchar) return varchar is begin';

        for referrer_key in referrer_keys loop
            a_output := a_output || ' if v_' || referrer_key.kind || ' like ''' ||
    referrer_key.key_string || ''' then return ''' || referrer_key.referrer_type ||
    '''; end if;';
        end loop;

        a_output := a_output || ' return null; end;';
        execute immediate a_output;
    end;
    /
    show errors

Here is how this function would end up in PostgreSQL:

    CREATE FUNCTION cs_update_referrer_type_proc() RETURNS integer AS '
    DECLARE
        referrer_keys RECORD;  -- Declare a generic record to be used in a FOR
        a_output varchar(4000);
    BEGIN
        a_output := ''CREATE FUNCTION cs_find_referrer_type(varchar,varchar,varchar)
                      RETURNS varchar AS ''''
                         DECLARE
                             v_host ALIAS FOR $1;
                             v_domain ALIAS FOR $2;
                             v_url ALIAS FOR $3; '';

        --
        -- Notice how we scan through the results of a query in a FOR loop
        -- using the FOR <record> construct.
        --

        FOR referrer_keys IN select * from cs_referrer_keys order by try_order LOOP
            a_output := a_output || '' if v_'' || referrer_keys.kind || '' like ''''''''''
                     || referrer_keys.key_string || '''''''''' then return ''''''
                     || referrer_keys.referrer_type || ''''''; end if;'';
        END LOOP;

        a_output := a_output || '' return null; end; '''' language ''''plpgsql'''';'';

        -- This works because we are not substituting any variables
        -- Otherwise it would fail. Look at PERFORM for another way to run functions

        EXECUTE a_output;
    end;
    ' LANGUAGE 'plpgsql';

Example 24-7. A Procedure with a lot of String Manipulation and OUT Parameters

The following Oracle PL/SQL procedure is used to parse a URL and return several elements (host, path and query). It is an procedure because in PL/pgSQL functions only one value can be returned (see Section 24.5.3). In PostgreSQL, one way to work around this is to split the procedure in three different functions: one to return the host, another for the path and another for the query.

    create or replace procedure cs_parse_url(
        v_url IN varchar,
        v_host OUT varchar,  -- This will be passed back
        v_path OUT varchar,  -- This one too
        v_query OUT varchar) -- And this one
    is
        a_pos1 integer;
        a_pos2 integer;
    begin
        v_host := NULL;
        v_path := NULL;
        v_query := NULL;
        a_pos1 := instr(v_url, '//'); -- PostgreSQL doesn't have an instr function

        if a_pos1 = 0 then
            return;
        end if;
        a_pos2 := instr(v_url, '/', a_pos1 + 2);
        if a_pos2 = 0 then
            v_host := substr(v_url, a_pos1 + 2);
            v_path := '/';
            return;
        end if;

        v_host := substr(v_url, a_pos1 + 2, a_pos2 - a_pos1 - 2);
        a_pos1 := instr(v_url, '?', a_pos2 + 1);

        if a_pos1 = 0 then
            v_path := substr(v_url, a_pos2);
            return;
        end if;

        v_path := substr(v_url, a_pos2, a_pos1 - a_pos2);
        v_query := substr(v_url, a_pos1 + 1);
    end;
    /
    show errors;

Here is how this procedure could be translated for PostgreSQL:

    drop function cs_parse_url_host(varchar);
    create function cs_parse_url_host(varchar) returns varchar as '
    declare
        v_url ALIAS FOR $1;
        v_host varchar;
        v_path varchar;
        a_pos1 integer;
        a_pos2 integer;
        a_pos3 integer;
    begin
        v_host := NULL;
        a_pos1 := instr(v_url,''//'');

        if a_pos1 = 0 then
            return '''';  -- Return a blank
        end if;

        a_pos2 := instr(v_url,''/'',a_pos1 + 2);
        if a_pos2 = 0 then
            v_host := substr(v_url, a_pos1 + 2);
            v_path := ''/'';
            return v_host;
        end if;

        v_host := substr(v_url, a_pos1 + 2, a_pos2 - a_pos1 - 2 );
        return v_host;
    end;
    ' language 'plpgsql';

> Note: PostgreSQL does not have an `instr` function, so you can work around it using a combination of other functions. I got tired of doing this and created my own `instr` functions that behave exactly like Oracle's (it makes life easier). See the Section 24.5.6 for the code.

## 24.5.3. Procedures

Oracle procedures give a little more flexibility to the developer because nothing needs to be explicitly returned, but it can be through the use of INOUT or OUT parameters.

An example:

    create or replace procedure cs_create_job(v_job_id in integer)
    is
        a_running_job_count integer;
        pragma autonomous_transaction;(1)
    begin
        lock table cs_jobs in exclusive mode;(2)

        select count(*) into a_running_job_count from cs_jobs
        where end_stamp is null;

        if a_running_job_count > 0 then
            commit; -- free lock(3)
            raise_application_error(-20000, 'Unable to create a new job: a job is currently running.');
        end if;

        delete from cs_active_job;
        insert into cs_active_job(job_id) values(v_job_id);

        begin
            insert into cs_jobs(job_id, start_stamp) values(v_job_id, sysdate);
            exception when dup_val_on_index then null; -- don't worry if it already exists(4)
        end;
        commit;
    end;
    /
    show errors

Procedures like this can be easily converted into PostgreSQL functions returning an `INTEGER`. This procedure in particular is interesting because it can teach us some things:

(1)
  There is no `pragma` statement in PostgreSQL.
(2)
  If you do a `LOCK TABLE` in PL/pgSQL, the lock will not be released until the calling transaction is finished.
(3)
  You also cannot have transactions in PL/pgSQL procedures. The entire function (and other functions called from therein) is executed in a transaction and PostgreSQL rolls back the results if something goes wrong. Therefore only one `BEGIN` statement is allowed.
(4)
  The exception when would have to be replaced by an `IF` statement.

So let's see one of the ways we could port this procedure to PL/pgSQL:

    drop function cs_create_job(integer);
    create function cs_create_job(integer) returns integer as ' declare
        v_job_id alias for $1;
        a_running_job_count integer;
        a_num integer;
        -- pragma autonomous_transaction;
    begin
        lock table cs_jobs in exclusive mode;
        select count(*) into a_running_job_count from cs_jobs where end_stamp is null;

        if a_running_job_count > 0 then
            -- commit; -- free lock
            raise exception ''Unable to create a new job: a job is currently running.'';
        end if;

        delete from cs_active_job;
        insert into cs_active_job(job_id) values(v_job_id);

        SELECT count(*) into a_num FROM cs_jobs WHERE job_id=v_job_id;
        IF NOT FOUND THEN  -- If nothing was returned in the last query
            -- This job is not in the table so lets insert it.
            insert into cs_jobs(job_id, start_stamp) values(v_job_id, sysdate());
            return 1;
        ELSE
            raise NOTICE ''Job already running.'';(1)
        END IF;

        return 0;
    end;
    ' language 'plpgsql';

(1)
  Notice how you can raise notices (or errors) in PL/pgSQL.

## 24.5.4. Packages

> Note: I haven't done much with packages myself, so if there are mistakes here, please let me know.

Packages are a way Oracle gives you to encapsulate PL/SQL statements and functions into one entity, like Java classes, where you define methods and objects. You can access these objects/methods with a "`.`" (dot). Here is an example of an Oracle package from ACS 4 (the ArsDigita Community System):

    create or replace package body acs
    as
      function add_user (
        user_id     in users.user_id%TYPE default null,
        object_type     in acs_objects.object_type%TYPE
                   default 'user',
        creation_date   in acs_objects.creation_date%TYPE
                   default sysdate,
        creation_user   in acs_objects.creation_user%TYPE
                   default null,
        creation_ip     in acs_objects.creation_ip%TYPE default null,
      ...
      ) return users.user_id%TYPE
      is
        v_user_id       users.user_id%TYPE;
        v_rel_id        membership_rels.rel_id%TYPE;
      begin
        v_user_id := acs_user.new (user_id, object_type, creation_date,
                    creation_user, creation_ip, email,
        ...
        return v_user_id;
      end;
    end acs;
    /
    show errors

We port this to PostgreSQL by creating the different objects of the Oracle package as functions with a standard naming convention. We have to pay attention to some other details, like the lack of default parameters in PostgreSQL functions. The above package would become something like this:

    CREATE FUNCTION acs__add_user(integer,integer,varchar,datetime,integer,integer,...)
    RETURNS integer AS '
    DECLARE
        user_id ALIAS FOR $1;
        object_type ALIAS FOR $2;
        creation_date ALIAS FOR $3;
        creation_user ALIAS FOR $4;
        creation_ip ALIAS FOR $5;
        ...
        v_user_id users.user_id%TYPE;
        v_rel_id membership_rels.rel_id%TYPE;
    BEGIN
        v_user_id := acs_user__new(user_id,object_type,creation_date,creation_user,creation_ip, ...);
        ...

        return v_user_id;
    END;
    ' LANGUAGE 'plpgsql';

## 24.5.5. Other Things to Watch For

### 24.5.5.1. EXECUTE

The PostgreSQL version of `EXECUTE` works nicely, but you have to remember to use `quote_literal(TEXT)` and `quote_string(TEXT)` as described in Section 24.2.5.3. Constructs of the type `EXECUTE ''SELECT * from $1'';` will not work unless you use these functions.

### 24.5.5.2. Optimizing PL/pgSQL Functions

PostgreSQL gives you two function creation modifiers to optimize execution: `iscachable` (function always returns the same result when given the same arguments) and `isstrict` (function returns NULL if any argument is NULL). Consult the CREATE FUNCTION reference for details.

To make use of these optimization attributes, you have to use the `WITH` modifier in your CREATE FUNCTION statement. Something like:

    CREATE FUNCTION foo(...) RETURNS integer AS '
    ...
    ' LANGUAGE 'plpgsql'
    WITH (isstrict, iscachable);

## 24.5.6. Appendix

### 24.5.6.1. Code for my `instr` functions

    --
    -- instr functions that mimic Oracle's counterpart
    -- Syntax: instr(string1,string2,[n],[m]) where [] denotes optional params.
    --
    -- Searches string1 beginning at the nth character for the mth
    -- occurrence of string2. If n is negative, search backwards. If m is
    -- not passed, assume 1 (search starts at first character).
    --
    -- by Roberto Mello (rmello@fslc.usu.edu)
    -- modified by Robert Gaszewski (graszew@poland.com)
    -- Licensed under the GPL v2 or later.
    --

    DROP FUNCTION instr(varchar,varchar);
    CREATE FUNCTION instr(varchar,varchar) RETURNS integer AS '
    DECLARE
        pos integer;
    BEGIN
        pos:= instr($1,$2,1);
        RETURN pos;
    END;
    ' language 'plpgsql';

    DROP FUNCTION instr(varchar,varchar,integer);
    CREATE FUNCTION instr(varchar,varchar,integer) RETURNS integer AS '
    DECLARE
        string ALIAS FOR $1;
        string_to_search ALIAS FOR $2;
        beg_index ALIAS FOR $3;
        pos integer NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;
        temp_str varchar;
        beg integer;
        length integer;
        ss_length integer;
    BEGIN
        IF beg_index > 0 THEN

           temp_str := substring(string FROM beg_index);
           pos := position(string_to_search IN temp_str);

           IF pos = 0 THEN
    	         RETURN 0;
    	     ELSE
    	         RETURN pos + beg_index - 1;
    	     END IF;
        ELSE
           ss_length := char_length(string_to_search);
           length := char_length(string);
           beg := length + beg_index - ss_length + 2;

           WHILE beg > 0 LOOP

               temp_str := substring(string FROM beg FOR ss_length);
    	         pos := position(string_to_search IN temp_str);

    	         IF pos > 0 THEN
    		           RETURN beg;
    	         END IF;

    	         beg := beg - 1;
           END LOOP;
           RETURN 0;
        END IF;
    END;
    ' language 'plpgsql';

    --
    -- Written by Robert Gaszewski (graszew@poland.com)
    -- Licensed under the GPL v2 or later.
    --
    DROP FUNCTION instr(varchar,varchar,integer,integer);
    CREATE FUNCTION instr(varchar,varchar,integer,integer) RETURNS integer AS '
    DECLARE
        string ALIAS FOR $1;
        string_to_search ALIAS FOR $2;
        beg_index ALIAS FOR $3;
        occur_index ALIAS FOR $4;
        pos integer NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;
        occur_number integer NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;
        temp_str varchar;
        beg integer;
        i integer;
        length integer;
        ss_length integer;
    BEGIN
        IF beg_index > 0 THEN
            beg := beg_index;
            temp_str := substring(string FROM beg_index);

            FOR i IN 1..occur_index LOOP
                pos := position(string_to_search IN temp_str);

                IF i = 1 THEN
                    beg := beg + pos - 1;
                ELSE
                    beg := beg + pos;
                END IF;

                temp_str := substring(string FROM beg + 1);
            END LOOP;

            IF pos = 0 THEN
                RETURN 0;
            ELSE
                RETURN beg;
            END IF;
        ELSE
            ss_length := char_length(string_to_search);
            length := char_length(string);
            beg := length + beg_index - ss_length + 2;

            WHILE beg > 0 LOOP
                temp_str := substring(string FROM beg FOR ss_length);
                pos := position(string_to_search IN temp_str);

                IF pos > 0 THEN
                    occur_number := occur_number + 1;

                    IF occur_number = occur_index THEN
                        RETURN beg;
                    END IF;
                END IF;

                beg := beg - 1;
            END LOOP;

            RETURN 0;
        END IF;
    END;
    ' language 'plpgsql';

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