Resolving the ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error in Oracle APEX

Discover how to fix the `ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error` when handling CLOB data in Oracle APEX. Get practical solutions and coding tips to enhance your PL/SQL experience.
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Understanding the ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error

If you've been working with Oracle APEX and encountered the dreaded ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error, you're not alone. This common error occurs when PL/SQL tries to place a value into a variable that isn't compatible with that data type. Often, this can be particularly frustrating as error messages may not always provide a clear explanation of the underlying issue.

In this post, we'll look at a scenario where this error appears while trying to display a response from a web service request in Oracle APEX. We'll break down the problem and provide a straightforward solution to help you get back on track.

The Problem

The error arises while attempting to log the output from a web service call. Here is the relevant code snippet that leads to the error:

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The Error Message

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The Solution

Why the Error Occurs

How to Fix It

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Step-by-Step Implementation

Change Your Output Statement:

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This line of code extracts a substring from the CLOB, which can be successfully printed to the output.

Adjust Variable Naming (Optional):
To make your code more readable, consider renaming j_string to reflect that it's a CLOB—perhaps something like j_clob_response. This can help in avoiding confusion in future debugging sessions.

Code Sample After Fix

Here's the updated code including the fix:

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Conclusion

Now, happy coding! If you encounter further challenges, don’t hesitate to look for solutions or ask the community.