Part I of this book introduces PL/SQL and presents the basics of how to program in Oracle-based applications.

• Chapter 1, Introduction to PL/SQL, introduces PL/SQL and explains where it came from. It describes the various PL/SQL versions and environments you might be using and the differences among the implementations of PL/SQL. It also presents some basic PL/SQL programming principles.

• Chapter 2, PL/SQL Language Fundamentals, introduces the PL/SQL character set, identifiers, literals, and other basic elements of the language.

• Chapter 3, Effective Coding Style, presents guidelines for coding style and discusses how the decisions you make about the formatting of your programs can determine how readable and useful those programs can be.