Unix SYSTEM command

Question

Hello,
We are migrating from informix to Oracle. In our Informix Stored Procedure we
were able to call Unix Shell Script by executing a 'SYSTEM' command, such as:
CREATE PROCEDURE magazine(flag1, flag2)
SYSTEM '/pics2/informix/mag.sh' || flag1 || flag2;
END PROCEDURE;
How can I write this in PL/SQL? Is there a simillar command for 'SYSTEM' in PL/SQL?
Thanks

Answer 1

While sending the message, you would use PACK_MESSAGE and SEND_MESSAGE:
This could be your PL/SQL procedure.
DBMS_PIPE.PACK_MESSAGE('<Your Message>');
return_code := DBMS_PIPE.SEND_MESSAGE
(pipename => '<Any unique legal identifier as pipe-name>'
,timeout => (1*60)) ;
if (return_code <> 0)
then
Raise_Application_Error(-20100, 'Error sending message.') ;
end if ;
While reading the message, you would use RECEIVE_MESSAGE and UNPACK_MESSAGE:
This could be with-in your target PL/SQL code, or Java function or a C/Pro*C program.
return_code := DBMS_PIPE.RECEIVE_MESSAGE
(pipename => '<pipe-name used when calling SEND_MESSAGE>'
,timeout => 10);
IF return_code = 0
THEN
DBMS_PIPE.UNPACK_MESSAGE(<variable to receive the message>);
ELSE
No message received, wait for a while and try again.
DBMS_LOCK.SLEEP(30) ;
END IF ;
Let me know if you need more info on this.
Kamal,
Would you mind sharing some example code for using DBMS_PIPE to execute OS commands with in PL/SQL?
Thx,
SriDHAR