Exception when no_data_found then variable =: 'Text field of my choice'

Question

Hi,
I have an exception in a package I have created. The package compiles fine but when I test it nothing is returned. I want TEXT 'NULL' to be returned as I'll use this in a lookup later on.
EXCEPTION WHEN no_data_found THEN
  v_Passangers                  :='NULL';
  v_Third_Party                 :='NULL';
  v_Witnesses                   :='NULL'; 
  v_Authorities                 :='NULL';
begin
  MyPackage.Load_Context_1(355271);
  dbms_output.put_line('v_Passangers : '||MyPackage.v_Passangers );
  dbms_output.put_line('v_Third_Party : '||MyPackage.v_Third_Party );
  dbms_output.put_line('v_Witnesses   : '||MyPackage.v_Witnesses  );
  dbms_output.put_line('v_Authorities   : '||MyPackage.v_Authorities );
end;RETURNS:
v_Passangers:
v_Third_Party:
v_Witnesses:
v_Authorities:                       I Would Like:
v_Passangers: NULL
v_Third_Party: NULL
v_Witnesses: NULL
v_Authorities: NULLThanks!!!
Banner:
Oracle Database 11g Release 11.2.0.2.0 - 64bit Production
PL/SQL Release 11.2.0.2.0 - Production
"CORE 11.2.0.2.0 Production"
TNS for Linux: Version 11.2.0.2.0 - Production
NLSRTL Version 11.2.0.2.0 - Production

Answer 1

Hi,
First question, why have you posted this to the AQ forum? It is more of a PL/SQL question.
However, in response - how do you know that NO_DATA_FOUND is actually occurring? How are thes package variables declared?
Can you upload the contents of this package ? MyPackage.Load_Context_1(355271);
I don't like the use of the word NULL - it leads to mass confusion, the word should mean what it means to Oracle, there are several other ways of acheiving this which I think would be better practice, for instance - it would be much betetr to have these variables returned as OUT parameters from the procedure rather than package level variables.
Thanks
Paul