Sqlcode and sql%rowcount as test conditions

Question

I am translating a procedure from Ingres to oracle. I use the Oracle sqlcode and sql%rowcount
variables in place of Ingres's iierrornumber and iirowcount.
I replaced the ingres names with the oracle names, and now am wondering how how oracle uses these
values.
I am using DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE to display the contents of sqlcode and sql%rowcount.
What happens when I get "no rows selected". I run the same query in standalone command line
and get no rows selected .. and it's correct because I don't have data that matches).
But when I run it in the procedure, I don't get any values in sqlcode or sql%rowcount ... the
program just exits. The author was using the ingres code to test if there was data there and then
continue to do something else.
If you get no rows returned, does that mean, the sqlcode is 0 ? and the sql%rowcount is emtpy?
which is why my DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE doesn't display anything ?
my example........
before this section in the procedure ... after running a different select that returns data ...
I am using the DBMS to debug the values I have going in ...
DBMS_OUTPUT.Put_line ('BEFORE sqlcode is' || sqlcode);
DBMS_OUTPUT.Put_line ('BEFORE sqlrowcount is' || sql%rowcount);
Select value from table
where condition ='Y'; > this select will product "no rows return" and ignore the 2 DBMS_OUTPUTS beow ---
DBMS_OUTPUT.Put_line ('AFTER sqlcode is' || sqlcode);
DBMS_OUTPUT.Put_line ('AFTER sqlrowcount is' || sql%rowcount);
When i run the procedure... I get the DBMS BEFORE statements, and nothing afterwards ...
BEFORE sqlcode is 0
BEFORE sqlrowcount is 1 >>>> that is all that displays
Since I am getting the "no rows returned" ... how does oracle handle it to anyone's experience ?
Thank you. I am learning much from your comments and information.

Answer 1

Thanks to your answers .... The procedure is below. I've had to hand type it in, so typos are my mistakes.
The procedure compiles . When there is data to be found, I get the DBSM_OUTPUT lines of code ....
msg_read is Y
sql_error is 0
row_count is 1
p_vol_id is 880091
When I enter in a file name that does not return ANY rows back I will get the msg_read
DBMS_OUTPUT line
msg_read is Y
Call completed.
It doesn't show any 0 for sqlcode or sql%rowcount
The original author used the Ingres return codes as input to process the rest of the code...
It seems like oracle bounces the procedure once there are no rows to be found.
I just added this part ....
having an exception in the clause shows that Oracle is bouncing it to the WHEN OTHERS
exception ...
Any ideas of how to get Oracle not to do this ?
I am trying to keep things simple, and all I am testing for is if I get records back the code does things,
if not, I do something else
create or replace procedure userfile(vms_fil_name IN varchar2, msg_read IN Varchar2)
authid current_user
is
p_vms_file_name varchar2(255);
p_vol_id varchar2(255);
p_orig_id varchar2(255);
p_incoming_message varchar2(255);
sql_error number;
n_count number;
begin
p_vms_fil_nam :=vms_fil_nam;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('msg read is '|| msg_read); >> verify incoming parameter
IF (msg_read ='Y')
then
select vol_id,
orig_id,
incoming_message
into p_vol_id,
p_orig_id,
p_incoming_message
from
table one_table a
where
a.vms_fil_nam = p.vms_fil_nam
and incoming_msg ='I';
n_count :='sql%rowcount';
sql_error :='sqlcode;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('row count is '|| n_count);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('sql_error is '|| sql_error);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('p_vol_id is '|| p_vol_id);
end if;
exception >>>> just added this part as the last test....
when others
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('other condition has been met');
end;
call userfile ('GEORGE','Y');