Same variable name causes major issues.....

Question

I would like to get some input and possible direction on the issue below... I am new to PL/SQL. Thanks in advance.....
..... The system is in the middle of processing a “For” step, i.e. a given “For” step is incomplete.
..... The script instructs the system to process a second “For” step with the same “for-loop variable” as the incomplete “For” step.
When the above takes place, the system processes the second “For” step incorrectly. Instead of starting at the first value in the second “For” step’s list of values, the system begins in the middle of the value list.
I need to change the current implementation so that if a "For" loop is encountered that has the same “loop variable” as a “For” loop already being executed, the “state” of the previous “For” step is discarded, and the state for the new “For” step is initialized to the first value in its list.
-- Used for "for" steps
TYPE for_list is table of varchar2(4000) index by binary_integer;
TYPE for_loop_state is record (
list for_list,
next_index integer
TYPE for_loops_list is table of for_loop_state index by steps.output_param%TYPE;
all_for_loops for_loops_list;
procedure for_step(list_string IN varchar2, ret_var_name IN varchar2, end_for_label IN varchar2) is
state for_loop_state;
end_idx number;
list_value varchar2(4000);
begin
pkg_util.log('ret_var_name value after begin: ' || ret_var_name, 'I');
-- get the current for list state, based on its output variable name
if all_for_loops.exists(ret_var_name) then
state := all_for_loops(ret_var_name);
else
state.next_index := 0;
list_value := parse_next_param(list_string, 1, end_idx);
-- end_idx is thrown away; for loops only have 1 input parameter (the list)
state.list := get_for_list(list_value);
all_for_loops(ret_var_name) := state;
end if;
if state.next_index < state.list.count then
pkg_session_values.put(ret_var_name, state.list(state.next_index));
all_for_loops(ret_var_name).next_index := state.next_index + 1;
else
all_for_loops.delete(ret_var_name);
jump(end_for_label);
end if;
end;

Answer 1

There is so much of your code hidden from view it is impossible to tell you anything other than perhaps suggest a methodology.
Create a single variable with a known value and use dbms_output to view it as it steps through each piece of the puzzle. Determine when the value does something you don't want.