The Oracle SQL Language provides us with ample possibilities to manage and manipulate databases according to our needs. In today’s modern world, where the size of databases is overwhelming, the use of synonyms can be a great asset. The Oracle CREATE SYNONYM statement allows a user to create a synonym that can be a convenient name for a base table, view, sequence, procedure, stored function, package, materialized view, Java class schema object, user-defined object type, or other synonyms.
Oracle CREATE SYNONYM Statement: The Solution
The Oracle CREATE SYNONYM statement simplifies the process of managing database objects by providing an alternative name for an existing database object in the same or different schema. This statement significantly improves the handling and manipulation of database objects, making the SQL programming task much less cumbersome.
The most common syntax for the CREATE SYNONYM Statement is:
CREATE [OR REPLACE] [PUBLIC] SYNONYM [schema .] synonym
FOR [schema .] object [@ dblink];
Using this syntax, ‘CREATE OR REPLACE’ allows you to recreate the synonym if it already exists. ‘PUBLIC’ allows you to create a synonym that can be accessed by all users. If ‘schema’ present, the synonym is created in this schema. The ‘object’ can be any of the stated elements such as a table or a view.
Grasping the Concept: Step by Step Explanation
Let’s illustrate the use of the CREATE SYNONYM statement by creating one for a table.
Suppose there’s a table named ‘Employees’ in the schema that belongs to a user ‘HR’. Let’s create a synonym to access this table.
“`Oracle SQL
CREATE SYNONYM emp_syn FOR HR.Employees;
“`
From now on, this table can also be accessed using our synonym without specifying the schema name.
SELECT * FROM emp_syn;
Likewise, we can create synonyms for other objects. It can be a handy tool for SQL programming when dealing with complex and extensive databases.
Delving Deeper into Oracle Synonyms
Oracle synonyms can be divided into two types:
- Private Synonyms
- Public Synonyms
Private Synonyms are visible only to their owners. Public Synonyms, on the other hand, are visible to all users. However, to access them, you still need appropriate privileges.
Synonyms can’t be used in DDL statements. They’re designed to provide alternative names to existing objects and to hide the name and owner of an object from users. They are often used to provide users with access to an object in a different schema without granting them privileges to directly access the object.
Ultimately, synonyms in Oracle SQL can significantly improve the programming workflow by making database navigation and object manipulation easier. This powerful tool helps in handling extensive databases efficiently, making the task of programming in Oracle SQL a lot easier and more enjoyable.
