Oracle Database: Advanced PL/SQL — Question 4

Which three are true about the NOCOPY hint, the PARALLEL ENABLE hint, and the DETERMINISTIC clause? (Choose three.)

Answer options

• A. The PARALLEL_ENABLE clause can be used only in the CREATE FUNCTION statement.
• B. The NOCOPY hint asks the compiler to pass the actual parameters by reference.
• C. A deterministic function's results always depend on the state of session variables.
• D. The NOCOPY hint asks the compiler to pass the actual parameters by value.
• E. A function is deterministic if it always returns the same result for a specific combination of input values.
• F. The PARALLEL_ENABLE clause can be specified for a nested function.
• G. A function defined with the PARALLEL_ENABLE clause may be executed in parallel in a SELECT statement or a subquery in a DML statement.

Correct answer: B, E, G

Explanation

The NOCOPY hint (B) indeed tells the compiler to pass parameters by reference, reducing memory overhead. A deterministic function (E) is defined by its consistent output for the same inputs. Lastly, the PARALLEL_ENABLE clause (G) allows a function to be executed in parallel, enhancing performance. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they misrepresent the functionalities of the hints and clauses.