DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE not working in Stored Functions

Question

Hi All,
I have one doubt, why is dbms_output.put_line not supported in Stored Functions?
create or replace function func_in_sql(var number) return varchar2
is
begin
If var is not null then
return to_char(dbms_output.put_line(var));
else
return to_char(dbms_output.put_line('null'));
end if;
end;
Returns error -
LINE/COL ERROR
5/3 PL/SQL: Statement ignored
5/18 PLS-00222: no function with name 'PUT_LINE' exists in this scope
7/3 PL/SQL: Statement ignored
7/18 PLS-00222: no function with name 'PUT_LINE' exists in this scope
Any idea why this is happening?
I know that to print value one can just use return statement and value will be printed in SQL Prompt.
But what makes me think is why error for PUT_LINE method?
If error is not thrown at DBMS_OTUPUT then doesnt that mean all methods of DBMS_OUTPUT should be accessible in a function.
Thanks in advance!
Av.

Answer 1

Hi,
For cant call proc inside func, or in-line thing you mentioned, just tried following -
Here is our previous Func -
create or replace function func_in_sql(var number) return varchar2
is
begin
/*If var is not null then
return to_char(dbms_output.put_line(var));
else
return to_char(dbms_output.put_line('null'));
end if;
exception_test;
return 'a';
end;
and here is our proc -
procedure exception_test
as
v_count1 number;
v_count2 number;
begin
select count(test_id)
INTO V_COUNT1
from TEST_TABLE;
If SQL%NOTFOUND Then
dbms_output.put_line('notfound');
End If;
dbms_output.put_line(v_count1);
exception
when no_data_found then
If SQL%NOTFOUND Then
dbms_output.put_line('notfound');
End If;
dbms_output.put_line('no_data');
WHEN TOO_MANY_ROWS THEN
dbms_output.put_line('too many rows');
when others then
dbms_output.put_line('others');
end;
and here is the call to func -
SQL> select func_in_sql(x) from t1;
FUNC_IN_SQL(X)
a
a
a
a
4 rows selected.
So this shows it works.
Is this what you said? or Am I getting you wrong?
Thanks!
Av.