Guidelines for Dynamic SQL

Avoiding Deadlocks with Dynamic SQL

In a few situations, executing a SQL data definition statement results in a deadlock. For example, the procedure below causes a deadlock because it attempts to drop itself. To avoid deadlocks, never try to ALTER or DROP a subprogram or package while you are still using it.

CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE calc_bonus (emp_id NUMBER) AS BEGIN

EXECUTE IMMEDIATE 'DROP PROCEDURE calc_bonus'; -- deadlock! END;

/

Backward Compatibility of the USING Clause

When a dynamic INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statement has a RETURNING clause, output bind arguments can go in the RETURNING INTO clause or the USING clause. In new applications, use the RETURNING INTO clause. In old applications, you can continue to use the USING clause.

7-12 PL/SQL User's Guide and Reference