Tag: generalized invocation

Did you know we have that since 11g? The generalized invocation allows a subtype to invoke a method of a parent type (supertype) using the following syntax:

(SELF AS supertype_name).method_name

Check the example below to understand it. First, creating original type:

CREATE OR REPLACE TYPE type_test AS OBJECT (MEMBER FUNCTION return_text RETURN VARCHAR2) NOT FINAL;
/

CREATE OR REPLACE TYPE BODY type_test AS
MEMBER FUNCTION return_text RETURN VARCHAR2 IS
BEGIN RETURN 'This is the original text.'; END;
END;
/

And now creating a subtype of this object, which adds a new attribute and method as well as overriding the member’s function.

CREATE OR REPLACE TYPE subtype_test UNDER type_test (OVERRIDING MEMBER FUNCTION return_text RETURN VARCHAR2);
/

CREATE OR REPLACE TYPE BODY subtype_test AS
OVERRIDING MEMBER FUNCTION return_text RETURN VARCHAR2 IS
BEGIN RETURN (self AS type_test).return_text || ' This is an additional subtype text.'; END;
END;
/

And when calling:

SET SERVEROUTPUT ON
DECLARE
my_subtype subtype_test;
BEGIN
DBMS_OUTPUT.put_line(my_subtype.show_attributes);
END;
/
This is the original text. This is an additional subtype text.

A type can invoke the member functions of any parent type in this way, regardless of the depth of the inheritance.

Pretty nice, right?
Cheers!