%TYPE vs %ROWTYPE

Both %TYPE and %ROWTYPE are used to define variables in PL/SQL as it is defined within the database. If the datatype or precision of a column changes, the program automatically picks up the new definition from the database.

The %TYPE and %ROWTYPE constructs provide data independence, reduce maintenance costs, and allows programs to adapt as the database changes

-- %TYPE is used to declare a field with the same type as
-- that of a specified table's column:

DECLARE
v_EmpName emp.ename%TYPE;
BEGIN
SELECT ename INTO v_EmpName FROM emp WHERE ROWNUM = 1;
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Name = ' || v_EmpName);
END;
/



-- %ROWTYPE is used to declare a record with the same types as
-- found in the specified database table, view or cursor:

DECLARE
v_emp emp%ROWTYPE;
BEGIN
v_emp.empno := 10;
v_emp.ename := 'XXXXXXX';
END;
/