Forms 6i do not compile on Oracle 10.2.0.4

Question

We are currently using Oracle Forms 6i (patch 18) and have recently upgraded from 10.2.0.3 to 10.2.0.4. This was done on a test environment since we are doing testing regarding the upgrade. The issue is there is just this one form that does not compile. When I hit ctrl-t, it disconnects (from oracle forms builder). I have deduced that there is this record group that is causing the disconnects. It is select from a base table (please see query below). When I remove the record group, the form compiles fine. Everything was fine on 10.2.0.3.
Since this version has been desupported for a long long time, metalink won't help. I'm hoping that someone has an idea regarding this matter. Please don't ask me why we're still using this version. Of course, it's a management thing. :)
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
SELECT *
FROM distribution_type_refs dtr
WHERE EXISTS (
SELECT '1'
FROM network_distributions nd
WHERE nd.distribution_type_id = dtr.distribution_type_id
AND log_number = :bl_networks.log_number
AND active_ind = 'Y' )
AND 'Y' =
CASE
WHEN :bl_networks.agreement_id IS NOT NULL
THEN dbpk_specials.fnc_agr_net_dist_valid_ind
( :bl_networks.agreement_id
, :bl_networks.log_number
, dtr.distribution_type_id
ELSE 'Y'
END
AND ( :bl_sp_decoders.ua_type_id = dbpk_constants.ua_type_internal
OR dtr.signal_definition_code =
COALESCE
dbpk_specials.fnc_decoder_signal_definition
( :bl_sp_decoders.base_unit_address
, :bl_sp_decoders.unit_address )
, DECODE ( :bl_networks.ua_count
, 1, dtr.signal_definition_code
, :bl_networks.first_signal_definition_code
, dtr.signal_definition_code
ORDER BY dtr.display_order

Answer 1

First thing to do is get rid of the "Select *" by changing the * to the actual column list.
That may be the only problem. However, I do recall someplace we had trouble with the order-by clause in record groups as well. Try removing it to see what happens. Try using 'Order By 1" (changing the 1 to whatever column number the display_order column is in).
And don't apologize for using Forms 6i. Many of us still use it.
By the way, using "Select *" anywhere in Forms is dangerous, since Forms runs from a compiled module, and Oracle does not automatically recompile it if the underlying objects change. So if your table on which you have written a Select * gets changed, the form will fail when it tries to do the select. Instead, ALWAYS specify the exact columns you need to select from the table.
By the way #2: If you enclose your code within [code]....[/code] tags, your indentation will be preserved.
Edited by: Steve Cosner on Jul 7, 2009 10:10 AM