%TYPE attribute lets you declare a variable that has the same data type as the specified referenced column.

Syntax:

var_name [schema.]table.column_name%TYPE

• If table.column_name cannot be found, the data type is derived from the first assignment expression.

Example:

DECLARE 
  i orders.item%TYPE;
BEGIN
  SELECT item INTO i FROM orders LIMIT 1;
  DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Item: ' || i);
END;

Compatibility: Oracle

Version: HPL/SQL 0.3.13