Oracle / PLSQL: Global Temporary tables

This Oracle tutorial explains how to use the Oracle GLOBAL TEMPORARY TABLES with syntax and examples.

Description

GLOBAL TEMPORARY TABLES in Oracle are tables that are created distinct within the Oracle sessions.

Syntax

The syntax for Oracle CREATE GLOBAL TEMPORARY TABLE is:

CREATE GLOBAL TEMPORARY TABLE table_name
( column1 datatype [ NULL | NOT NULL ],
  column2 datatype [ NULL | NOT NULL ],
  ...
  column_n datatype [ NULL | NOT NULL ]
);

Parameters or Arguments

table_name

The name of the global temporary table that you wish to create.

column1, column2, ... column_n

The columns that you wish to create in the global temporary table. Each column must have a datatype. The column should either be defined as NULL or NOT NULL and if this value is left blank, the database assumes NULL as the default.

Example

Let's look at an Oracle CREATE GLOBAL TEMPORARY TABLE example:

CREATE GLOBAL TEMPORARY TABLE suppliers
( supplier_id numeric(10) NOT NULL,
  supplier_name varchar2(50) NOT NULL,
  contact_name varchar2(50)
);

This example would create a GLOBAL TEMPORARY TABLE called suppliers.