Edit existing or add new record based on key field

Question

Greetings and Salutations!
I am working on an APEX 3.0 application and I need to verify a key field value to determine if the record already exists, if it does not exist, I need to add it, if it does exist, I need to update/edit it. I'm not sure how to do this, but below is what I am considering (in pseudo code):
get the asset_tag #
asset_search_value = :asv
select asset_tag from asset_table were asset_tag = :asv
IF :asv (unique key value is found) UPDATE
else
INSERT (create new record with asset_tag = :asv)
ENDIF
I hope that my explanation is clear.
I have considered doing a function to search for a key match and if one exists, I can proceed to the UPDATE screen, otherwise, I can proceed to that INSERT screen.
I'm intermediate with APEX and little better at pl/sql, but rapidly learning.
I should mention that my problem is coming up with a method to see if my query returns no records.
Thanks in advance for your assistance!
Charles
Message was edited by:
cp29020

Answer 1

Charles,
You said you were thinking about creating a function to search for a key match. First, I suggest you do so in a package. A function that returns a boolean should do. Something like what follows:
FUNCTION asset_exists (
   p_id IN TABLE_NAME.ID%TYPE
   RETURN BOOLEAN
AS
   l_retval BOOLEAN;
   CURSOR asset_exists_test_cur
   IS
      SELECT *
      FROM table_name
      WHERE id = asset_exists.p_id;
   l_asset_exists_test ASSET_EXISTS_TEST_CUR%ROWTYPE;  
BEGIN
   OPEN asset_exists_test_cur;
   FETCH asset_exists_test_cur INTO l_basic_user_test;
   l_retval := asset_exists_test_cur%FOUND;
   CLOSE asset_exists_test_cur;
   RETURN l_retval;
END asset_exists;Then you can use that function as needed to branch your logic. Remember to create a unique constraint on the table if it is not the primary key or doesn't already have one.
Dan