ORA-00900: invalid SQL statement when using loop to insert rows - plsql

Question

I'm trying to insert multiple rows into an Oracle 11g table by running the following in Aqua Data Studio (version 15.0.11), using this:
BEGIN
FOR i IN 1..700 LOOP
INSERT INTO lims.stock_template (
stock_template_id,
name,
group_id,
version,
version_status,
workflow_id,
amount,
stock_type_id,
aliquot_template_id,
auto_authorise,
reorder_amount
)
VALUES (
lims.sq_stock_template.nextval,
lims.sq_stock_template.currval,
21,
1,
'A',
51881,
0,
103,
2362,
'F',
0
);
END LOOP;
END;
/
but I get the following error:
>[Error] Script lines: 30-30 ------------------------
ORA-00900: invalid SQL statement
Script line 30, statement line 1, column 0
If I run just the INSERT statement by itself, it works just fine, but I want to be able to insert multiple rows in one operation.
I'm sure that I've run something similar in the past, but I can't see what the problem is.
Any help much appreciated.
Thanks

Answer 1

In your example, you included a BEGIN and END clause, which turns this into a "Anonymous PL/SQL Block"
http://docstore.mik.ua/orelly/oracle/prog2/ch15_03.htm
Within a PL/SQL block you can't execute a SQL statement directly. You have to use only PL/SQL. See attached example.
Now you can create a stored procedure to execute your insert and use Script Object to Window As -> Execute or Execute Bind. See below screenshot.

Answer 2

In a stored procedure or a stored procedure within a package you can do whatever you like!
create or replace procedure testMe as
begin
FOR i IN 1..700 LOOP
INSERT INTO lims.stock_template (
stock_template_id,
name,
group_id,
version,
version_status,
workflow_id,
amount,
stock_type_id,
aliquot_template_id,
auto_authorise,
reorder_amount
)
VALUES (
lims.sq_stock_template.nextval,
lims.sq_stock_template.currval,
21,
1,
'A',
51881,
0,
103,
2362,
'F',
0
);
END LOOP;
end;
This is EXACTLY analogous to typing every line in at the SQL prompt form the word begin to the word end;.
What is more then likely tripping you up is the slash at the bottom. In the CLI sqlPlus the end of the line with the semicolon ( ; ) causes it to run the process, hence :
select 'A' from dual;
The semicolon tells it to execute.
IF on the other hand you type in the word begin then it shifts mode and will accept semicolons anywhere and just keep adding your strings to the buffer. ON A BLANK LINE the type the / and return and it will try and execute your code.
I think if you remove the slash it will execute quite nicely.