Problem with Collection API method LIMIT?

Question

Hi,
I am trying to learn PL/SQL in my free time and I can't get collection_name.LIMIT to work correctly.
declare
type list is table of integer;
set_a list := list(1,2,3,3);
i pls_integer := 0;
begin
set_a.trim(2);
i := set_a.limit;
dbms_output.put_line('Trim(2) leaves ' || to_char(i) || ' spaces in list');
end;
The above code prints 'Trim(2) leaves spaces in list'. I first tried putting set_a.limit inside the to_char and got the same results. I tried using it in the expression for an IF statement as I have read in the book and online; something like if set_a.limit < 4 then... This returns true, while set_a.limit > 1 returns false.
Am I doing something wrong?
Oh, and I am using the win32_11gR2_database I got from the Oracle download page on Windows XP SP3.
Thanks.
Edited by: user13107973 on Aug 24, 2010 3:08 PM

Answer 1

I figured it out, on closer inspection I see it is only used for varying arrays, and I was trying it on a nested table... Thanks for the advice.
So, I am reading a horrible book full of typos called "Oracle Database 11g PL/SQL Programming" from the Oracle Press and McGraw Hill.
BULK COLLECT INTO, page 123
"The LIMIT statement lets you constrain the size of bulk selections, but you can only use it with explicit cursors." - NOT what I asked about.
FORALL, page 127
"The FORALL loop is designed to work with Oracle collections. It lets you insert, update, or delete bulk data." - NOT what I asked about.
Collection API, page 253
"The LIMIT method returns the highest possible subscript value in a collection. It can only return a PLS_INTEGER type and can only be used by a VARRAY datatype. It has the following prototype..."
Edited by: user13107973 on Aug 25, 2010 12:09 PM
Edited by: user13107973 on Aug 25, 2010 12:09 PM