Part II of this book describes the essential language constructs provided by PL/SQL. It includes extensive examples of these constructs and explains how to use them most effectively.

• Chapter 4, Variables and Program Data , explains variables and constants in PL/SQL programs and presents the various PL/SQL datatypes.

• Chapter 5, Conditional and Sequential Control , describes how to use various types of IF, THEN, and ELSE constructs, as well as the NULL and GOTO statements.

• Chapter 6, Database Interaction and Cursors , describes how to use explicit and implicit cursors.

• Chapter 7, Loops , explains the different types of loops -- LOOP, FOR LOOP, and WHILE LOOP.

• Chapter 8, Exception Handlers , discusses the various types of exceptions, including predefined, named programmer-defined, unnamed internal, and unnamed programmer-defined.

• Chapter 9, Records in PL/SQL , describes how to use table-based, cursor-based, and programmer-defined records.

• Chapter 10, PL/SQL Tables , explains how to declare and use tables, and how to apply them to a variety of tasks.