PL/SQL code alignment standards Oracle Tips by Jonathan Ingram

Alignment of PL/SQL Operators

These guidelines enhance the readability of code by adding white space and clarifying complex expressions.

?  Arrange series of statements containing similar operators into columns whenever it will not cause excessive white space and you have sufficient room to do so.
 
Correct:

  vFirstName := 'Roger';

  vLastName  := 'Smith';

  vSSN       := 999999999;

Incorrect:

  vFirstName := 'Roger';

  vLastName := 'Smith';

  vSSN := 999999999;

?  Always use parentheses in expressions containing more than one identifier or literal. This clarifies code for inexperienced developers who are not familiar with operator precedence and helps eliminate the possibility that you?ve overlooked something in your equation.
 
Correct:

  IF (nSSN < 2.5) THEN

     <statements>

  END IF;

Incorrect:

  IF nSSN < 2.5 THEN

     <statements>

  END IF;

?  Align the IN and OUT keywords in columns when defining the interface for a procedure or function.
 
Correct:

  PROCEDURE Days_Between (dStartDate   IN     date,

                          dEndDate     IN     date,

                          nGPA         IN OUT number,

                          nDaysBetween    OUT number)

  <procedure declarations and body>

Incorrect:

  PROCEDURE Days_Between (dStartDate IN date,

                          dEndDate IN date,

                          nGPA IN OUT number,

                          nDaysBetween OUT number)

  <procedure declarations and body>

?  When calling a procedure or function, align the parameters into a column. This reduces the visual clutter around the call, making it stand out from the rest of the code.
 
Correct:

  DaysBetween (dStartDate   => dEnrolledDate,

               dEndDate     => dGraduationDate,

               nGPA         => nFinalGPA,

               nDaysBetween => nDuration);

Incorrect:

  DaysBetween (dStartDate => dEnrolledDate,

               dEndDate => dGraduationDate,

               nGPA => nFinalGPA,

               nDaysBetween => nDuration);

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This is an excerpt from "High Performance Oracle Database Automation", by Jonathan Ingram and Donald K. Burleson, Series Editor.
 

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