Using Named Parameters within SQL

One of the Oracle 11g new feature that I like is ability to use Named Parameter syntax in functions calls inside SQL. For example it is possible to run such query:

select DBMS_METADATA.get_xml(
          object_type     => object_type,
          name            => object_name) 
     from user_objects
where object_type in ('TABLE', 'VIEW');

It was not possible in previous Oracle versions (before 11g). It was only possible to specify parameters by position:

select DBMS_METADATA.get_xml(object_type, object_name) from user_objects
where object_type in ('TABLE', 'VIEW');

This is great feature as now SQL is more compatible with PL/SQL. And Named Parameters syntax is my favorite method of calling functions, as it gives me direct knowledge what value is assigned to parameters. Specifying parameters by position requires to remember sequence of parameters in function definition. Additionally named parameters syntax allows programmer to skip any of parameter that has default value, or to change order of parameters in function call. It is also possible to mix those 2 notations in single statement:

select DBMS_METADATA.get_xml(object_type, name => object_name) from user_objects
where object_type in ('TABLE', 'VIEW');

Hope you like it

Cheers, Paweł