.PKB File Extension

Oracle Package Body File

Developer	Oracle
Popularity	Average rating 3.4 / 5. Vote count: 7
Category	Data Files
Format	.PKB
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an PKB file?

The .PKB file extension is associated with Oracle Database, a robust and widely used relational database management system (RDBMS). Specifically, .PKB files are Oracle Package Body files.

In Oracle Database, a package is a schema object that groups logically related PL/SQL types, variables, and subprograms (procedures and functions).

The package is divided into two parts: the package specification (.PKS) and the package body (.PKB). While the package specification is the interface to the package, defining what the client can use, the package body provides the implementation of the package – the code that actually performs the tasks.

More Information.

the separation of the package specification (.PKS) and package body (.PKB) in Oracle’s database environment aimed to provide a clear distinction between the API exposed to the client and the actual implementation of that API.

This not only allows for cleaner and more organized code but also enhances security and performance.

The client applications can access the functions and procedures defined in the package specification without needing to know the underlying implementation details contained in the package body.

Origin Of This File.

The .PKB file, as part of Oracle’s PL/SQL language, has its roots in the inception of PL/SQL itself. Oracle introduced PL/SQL in its database products to provide a server-side, procedural extension to SQL.

This extension allowed for a more powerful and flexible programming environment.

The .PKB file extension is a part of this environment, allowing developers to separate the declaration of public functions (the .PKS file) from their actual implementation (the .PKB file).

File Structure Technical Specification.

A .PKB file typically contains PL/SQL code. This code includes the implementation of the procedures and functions declared in the package specification (.PKS file). The content is usually structured as follows:

Header: This usually contains comments describing the purpose of the package body, the author, and other metadata.
Dependent Declarations: Any variables, types, or cursors used in the package body are declared here.
Function and Procedure Implementations: This section contains the actual PL/SQL code for each procedure and function declared in the package specification.
Initialization Section: Optionally, a package body can have an initialization section that runs once when the package is first accessed.

How to Convert the File?

Converting a .PKB file, typically an Oracle Package Body file containing PL/SQL code, isn’t standard practice in the same way you might convert an image or document file to a different format.

Instead, what’s usually needed is to make the .PKB file accessible or editable in environments outside of Oracle. Here’s how I generally approach this:

For Viewing and Editing:

Open with a Text Editor: I open the .PKB file in a text editor that supports plain text. Good options include Notepad++ on Windows or Sublime Text, VS Code, or even Vim on Unix/Linux systems. These editors are great because they often provide syntax highlighting for PL/SQL, which makes the code more readable.
Save with a Different Extension (if needed): If I need to share the .PKB file with someone unfamiliar with Oracle file extensions or if there’s a system that requires a specific file type, I use the ‘Save As’ feature in the text editor to save the file with a different extension, like .txt or .sql. This doesn’t change the content of the file but can make it more accessible in different environments.

For Sharing or Version Control:

Rename the File Extension: If I’m sharing the code with others or need to add it to a version control system, I might rename the file from something.pkb to something.sql. This makes it clear that the file is a SQL script, and it’s a format that’s more universally recognized and supported by various tools and systems.
Use Version Control: For version control, I prefer systems like Git. After renaming the file to a .sql extension, it’s easy to track changes, handle merging, and collaborate with others.

Things to Keep in Mind:

Code Integrity: It’s vital to ensure that the PL/SQL code doesn’t get altered unintentionally during the renaming or when changing the file extension. The integrity of the code is crucial for it to run correctly in the Oracle environment.
Reverting for Oracle Use: If I need to reintegrate the file into an Oracle database, I make sure to change the extension back to .PKB to maintain compatibility and proper recognition within the Oracle system.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantage:

Encapsulation: By separating the implementation from the interface, packages provide an encapsulated environment for data structures and operations.
Performance: Stored procedures (in .PKB files) can enhance performance by processing complex transactions on the server side, reducing network traffic.
Maintainability: Changes in the package body do not affect the clients as long as the interface in the package specification remains consistent.

Disadvantage:

Complexity: For new developers, understanding the separation between .PKS and .PKB files and their interaction can be challenging.
Dependency Management: Changes in package bodies can sometimes lead to invalidation of dependent objects, requiring recompilation.

How to Open PKB?
Open In Windows
Oracle SQL Developer: This is a free integrated development environment that simplifies the development and management of Oracle Database. It can directly open and allow you to work with .PKB files.
Text Editors: Applications like Notepad++, Sublime Text, or Microsoft Visual Studio Code can open .PKB files. These editors also provide syntax highlighting for PL/SQL, which is helpful.

Open In Linux
Oracle SQL Developer: Also available for Linux, providing a native experience for managing Oracle databases and .PKB files.
Text Editors: Linux users can use editors like Gedit, Kate, or advanced editors like Vim or Emacs. These can open .PKB files and are particularly powerful if you’re comfortable with command-line interfaces.

Open In MAC
Oracle SQL Developer: Available for macOS, it provides a rich set of features for database development.
Text Editors: macOS users can utilize TextEdit for a quick view, but for more features, Sublime Text or Visual Studio Code are better options. These editors offer more functionalities, including syntax highlighting and code formatting.

Open In Android
QuickEdit Text Editor: This is a fast, stable, and full-featured text editor for Android devices. It’s suitable for both general and professional use.
Dcoder, Compiler IDE: While more than a text editor, Dcoder offers a mobile coding platform, and it can be used to view and edit .PKB files.

Open In IOS
Textastic Code Editor: This is a versatile text, code, and markup editor, supporting syntax highlighting for many programming languages, including SQL.
Koder Code Editor: Koder is a code editor for iPad and iPhone that supports several programming languages and provides features like syntax highlighting, which can be useful for viewing .PKB files.

Open in Others
Find a Compatible Text Editor: When you encounter an operating system that’s not one of the major ones like Windows, macOS, or Linux, your first step is to look for a text editor that supports plain text files. It’s crucial for the editor to handle file encoding properly to avoid messing up the PL/SQL code in the .PKB file.