How to select from a table using DBMS_SQL - plsql

Question

I'm trying to use dbms_sql package to select from a table but I can't do it.. can anyone please tell me what I am doing wrong?
create or replace function dbsm_sql_SELECT(age IN NUMBER) return VARCHAR2 is
q VARCHAR2(500);
ret NUMBER;
c1 number;
begin
q := 'SELECT users_name FROM USERS_TABLE WHERE USERS_AGE = :1';
c1 := dbms_sql.open_cursor;
dbms_sql.parse(c1,q,dbms_sql.native);
dbms_sql.bind_variable(c => c1, name => ':1' , value => age );
ret := dbms_sql.execute(c1);
dbms_sql.close_cursor(c1);
dbms_output.put_line(ret);
return('a');
end dbsm_sql_SELECT;

Answer 1

here.. try this.. I've switched to querying from a common table
clear screen
SET serveroutput ON size 1000000
declare
function dbsm_sql_SELECT(age IN NUMBER) return VARCHAR2 is
q VARCHAR2(500);
ret NUMBER;
c1 number;
l_username VARCHAR2(40);
begin
q := 'SELECT username FROM user_USERS WHERE user_id < :1';
c1 := dbms_sql.open_cursor;
dbms_sql.parse(c1,q,dbms_sql.native);
DBMS_SQL.DEFINE_COLUMN(c1, 1, l_username,40);
--define any other columns you want
dbms_sql.bind_variable(c => c1, name => ':1' , value => age );
ret := dbms_sql.execute(c1);
LOOP
IF DBMS_SQL.FETCH_ROWS(c1)>0 THEN
DBMS_SQL.COLUMN_VALUE(c1, 1, l_username);
--get values of any columns you previously defined
ELSE
-- No more rows to copy:
EXIT;
END IF;
end loop;
dbms_sql.close_cursor(c1);
dbms_output.put_line(ret);
--return teh correct value
return(l_username);
end ;
begin
dbms_output.put_line(dbsm_sql_SELECT(1000));
end;
/