Is dbms_output.put() being buffered differently from dbms_output.put_line()?

Question

Im using Aqua Data Studio to debug a stored proc by scattering output statments throughout.

I have a delete statement in the package which violate an integrity const

Answer 1

Here is an example that shows the behaviour you're seeing:

SQL> exec dbms_output.put_line('hello')
hello

PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.

SQL> exec dbms_output.put('hello again')

PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.

SQL> exec dbms_output.put(' and again')

PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.

SQL> exec dbms_output.new_line
hello again and again

PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.

The documentation says "SQL*Plus calls GET_LINES after issuing a SQL statement or anonymous PL/SQL calls."

And procedure GET_LINES says "This procedure retrieves an array of lines from the buffer."

With PUT you haven't completed your line yet. And so it doesn't print.

The NEW_LINE procedure mentions this as well: "This procedure puts an end-of-line marker. The GET_LINE Procedure and the GET_LINES Procedure return "lines" as delimited by "newlines". Every call to the PUT_LINE Procedure or NEW_LINE Procedure generates a line that is returned by GET_LINE(S)."

Regards,
Rob.