Forms 6i and PLL

Question

Hello All,
I am using forms 6i and database 9i. I would like to make some changes in the PLL. This PLL is attached to number of forms. After doing changes do I need to compile the other forms in which this PLL is attached?
What is the best method to handle this?
Thanks,
SUN

Answer 1

Ok : the public face of a procedure or function or packaged procedure or function are the parameter that you show to the world (the public face) eg:
function get_total ( p_order_ref in number ) return number;
If you change the code in the function then as as far as the function is concerned, nothing has changed and it should still run fine.
If however, you change the function to be :
function get_total ( p_order_ref in varchar2 ) return number;
Then the public face that the Form sees has changed and you need to compile the Form again (and maybe alter the call in the Form in this case)
The same thing will happen to database packages (as a rule I always use packages rather than standalone functions/procedures) : if you change the specification of the package then you'll need to recompile any plls or fmbs (or mmbs) that use it.
I think that when you compile a form it takes a checksum of the signature of dependent objects and as long as the signature doesn't change (the public face) then you're ok.
HTH
Steve