Software ResiliencyProgramming Best Practices
Production Risk
How we detect
Why you should care
The DECODE function belongs to PLSQL and has the functionality of an IF-THEN statement. It’s syntax is as follows DECODE( expression , search , result [, search , result]…[, default] )
expression – The value to compare
search – The value is compared against expression
result – The value returned, if expression is equal to search
default – Optional. If not matches are found, the DECODE function will return default. If default is omitted, then the DECODE function will return null (if no matches are found).
With that being said, CASE is a better function as it is simpler to write and can be used in PL/SQL. CASE is easier to read, understand and maintain the code.
expression – The value to compare
search – The value is compared against expression
result – The value returned, if expression is equal to search
default – Optional. If not matches are found, the DECODE function will return default. If default is omitted, then the DECODE function will return null (if no matches are found).
With that being said, CASE is a better function as it is simpler to write and can be used in PL/SQL. CASE is easier to read, understand and maintain the code.
Business Impacts
DECODE function is an old function replaced by CASE because the latter is less risky to use and more productive. This is because CASE is easier to read, understand and maintain.
CAST Recommendations
How we detect
This code insight shows that DECODE is an old function that has been replaced by the easier-to-understand and more common CASE function. Contrary to the DECODE statement CASE may also be used directly within PL/SQL
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