Query running OK in SQL, giving error in form trigger.

Question

Hi guys,
i am in a strange situation. I have a table.
EMP_SCALES with fields and datatype.
PAY_SCALE BASIC_SAL
VI 8000
VI-1 10000
Now when on SQL PROMPT i try to find out BASIC_SAL in the table EMP_SCALES i am writing this query and its working.
SQL>select basic_sal from emp_scales where pay_scale like('%VI-1%');
Now i have to use the same query in when-button-press event of a button in my form.
Code:
DECLARE
basic_sal_emp number;
curr_emp_scale := :BLOCK.MYFIELD;
BEGIN
SELECT BASIC_SAL
INTO BASIC_SAL_EMP
FROM EMP_SCALES
WHERE PAY_SCALE LIKE ('%curr_emp_scale%');          
END;
(Where :BLOCK.MYFIELD consist EMP_SCALE and its datatype is also char)
this query retrieves no record... and gives error.
ORA-01403 which says..
Cause: In a host language program, all records have been fetched. The return code from the fetch was +4, indicating that all records have been returned from the SQL query.
Action: Terminate processing for the SELECT statement
HOW CAN I RESOLVE MY PROBLEM?????
Plis help
Imran Baig

Answer 1

Dur. Everyone seems to have overlooked the import of the error message: ORA-01422. This is thrown whenever an exact fetch returns more than one row.
The code works when the value 'VI-1' is hard-coded because there's only one row like that. However, when a field is used the query is obviously returning more than one row. For instance, if :EMP_INCREMENTS.CUR_SCALE is empty (NULL) then the query will return all rows (which is more than one). The same applies if the field has a value of 'VI'.
If you want to use INTO then the query must either return exactly one row or else the trigger needs to handle multiple returns.
Cheets, APC