PL/SQL Procedures to create and drop tables - plsql

Question

I run a procedure to Drop and re-create a table by using PL/SQL but it dosn't work and the table have no update on it .. the script below :
CREATE OR REPLACE procedure RUBA.pay_backup
as
r_create_table varchar(1000);
Begin
Begin
r_create_table := 'Drop table payment_backup';
Execute Immediate r_create_table;
Exception
When Others Then
Null;
End;
r_create_table := 'Create Table payment_backup as Select * from payment_table';
Execute Immediate r_create_table;
End;
/

Answer 1

The challenge here is that you are dealing with the security model of Oracle that normally requires direct grants vs. via a role when running in the context of a compiled PL/SQL procedure.
You are likely seeing ORA-01031: insufficient privileges.
Your user probably has CREATE TABLE granted via a role, but not directly.
Check this as follows:
-- List system privs granted via a role
select * from ROLE_SYS_PRIVS where ROLE in (select ROLE from USER_ROLE_PRIVS)
/
-- List system privs granted directly
select * from USER_SYS_PRIVS
/
There are two simple ways to make your procedure work:
Option 1
Grant CREATE TABLE directly to your user.
Connect as a DBA and do this:
GRANT CREATE TABLE TO RUBA;
Unfortunately, this is a bit of a blunt instrument and probably not what you want to do.
Option 2
Create your procedure with invoker's rights:
CREATE OR REPLACE procedure RUBA.pay_backup AUTHID CURRENT_USER
as
r_create_table varchar(1000);
Begin
Begin
r_create_table := 'Drop table payment_backup';
Execute Immediate r_create_table;
Exception
When Others Then
Null;
End;
r_create_table := 'Create Table payment_backup as Select * from payment_table';
Execute Immediate r_create_table;
End;
/
Do some experimentation to see how things behave with this version.
Note that you may run into issues if you are running this in a job or when connecting as a different user.