Appending a varchar2 to a clob

Question

I'm trying to append a varchar2 to a clob, using a package variable called glb_clob_var.
if(xmlFlag = -1) then -- first time
BEGIN
glb_clob_var := inp_xmlMsg;
END;
end if;
if(xmlFlag = 1) then -- neither first nor last time
BEGIN
dbms_lob.append(glb_clob_var, inp_xmlMsg);
END;
end if;
However, I find that this append command just keeps the current value of inp_xmlMsg in glb_clob_var after each call to this procedure. That is, glb_clob_var is being overwritten instead of getting appended.
Am I using the wrong call?

Answer 1

However, I find that this append command just keeps the current value of inp_xmlMsg in
glb_clob_var after each call to this procedure. That is, glb_clob_var is being overwritten instead of getting appended. But why do you think so?:
SQL> DECLARE
   glb_clob_var   CLOB             := LPAD ('x', 32767) || LPAD ('y', 32767);
   inp_xmlmsg     VARCHAR2 (32767) := LPAD ('z', 32767);
BEGIN
   DBMS_LOB.append (glb_clob_var, inp_xmlmsg);
   DBMS_OUTPUT.put_line (DBMS_LOB.getlength (glb_clob_var));
   DBMS_OUTPUT.put_line (3 * 32767);
END;
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