ORACLE 10g - Is possible define a instance variable ?

[Santana]

Hi guys,
Is possible define a new instance variable ? The idea is get the value
of "UPDATE_FLAG"(I invented this name this dont exists in ORACLE) at
any time ?

I know i can do this thorough a tabela, but i only know if exists this
concept.

Regards,
Paulito

[Mark D Powell]

This question is not clear, new instance of what? Do you want to know
how to create a variable that can be accessed Oracle database instance
wide or are you asking about knowing when some value changed?

For Oracle instance wide variables you have package specifications and
the Oracle CONTEXT object. Look in the DBA Administration manual and
the SQL manual at (CREATE) CONTEXT. You can use a database event
logon trigger to to set the context value then retrieve it in
application logic.

For table row data changes you have table DML triggers. Update
triggers have access to both the :old and :new values for a column.

If neither of these help please post back with more background
information on what you are trying to do.

HTH -- Mark D Powell --