A pragma is a directive to the PL/SQL compiler. Pragmas pass information to the compiler; they are processed at compile time but do not execute. If you include a call to a built-in package in a SQL statement, you must include a RESTRICT REFERENCES pragma in your code. This pragma tells the compiler the purity level (freedom from side effects) of a packaged program. The purity levels available are:
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WNDS -- Writes no database state
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RNDS -- Reads no database state
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WNPS -- Writes no package state
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RNPS -- Reads no package state