ds_lewis@hotmail.com wrote:
> I'm a newbie to Oracle. I walked onto a contract job where they are
> just switching to Oracle and I'd like to help them get started off in
> the right direction.
>
> Do packages really provide something valuable from a design
> perspective? I've seen some example code but the descriptions have
> been somewhat vague as any actual benefits from using packages.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Targus

The biggest benefits to me are the following:

1) Data/method hiding. It allows you to hide data (variables) and
methods (procedures/functions) that are only needed by something else
in the same package. You don't have to expose them to the world if it
doesn't make sense to do so.

2) You can recompile the body of the package, and not invalidate
objects that depend on the package specifcation. The only time you
invalidate dependent objects (requires recompilation) is when you
recompile the specification.

HTH,

Steve