SYS_CONTEXT

SYS_CONTEXT returns the value of an attribute of a named context. The context, attribute, and value must already be defined in the database. If the context is not defined, SYS_CONTEXT returns NULL.

Return Value

VARCHAR2

Syntax

SYS_CONTEXT ('namespace', 'parameter')

Arguments

namespace can be any named context in the database. USERENV is a built-in context that describes the current session.

parameter is a defined attribute of namespace. Table 3-3 describes the predefined attributes of USERENV that are most likely to have values. For a complete list, refer to the SYS_CONTEXT entry in the Oracle Database SQL Language Reference.

Table 3-3 USERENV Attributes

USERENV Attribute	Description
`AUTHENTICATED_IDENTITY`	The identity used for authentication, such as database user name, schema name, or operating system login name.
`AUTHENTICATION_METHOD`	The method of authentication, such as `PASSWORD`, `OS`, or `SSL`.
`CURRENT_EDITION_ID`	The session edition identifier, such as `100`.
`CURRENT_EDITION_NAME`	The session edition name, such as `ORA$BASE`.
`CURRENT_SCHEMA`	The name of the currently active default schema, such as `SH`.
`CURRENT_SCHEMA_ID`	The numeric identifier of the currently active default schema, such as `80`.
`CURRENT_USER`	The name of the database user whose privileges are currently active, such as `SH`.
`CURRENT_USERID`	The numeric identifier of the database user whose privileges are currently active, such as `80`.
`DATABASE_ROLE`	Data Guard role of the database: `PRIMARY`, `PHYSICAL STANDBY`, `LOGICAL STANDBY`, or `SNAPSHOT STANDBY`.
`DB_DOMAIN`	The network domain of the database as specified by the `DB_DOMAIN` initialization parameter, such as `us.example.com`.
`DB_NAME`	The name of the database as specified by the `DB_NAME` initialization parameter.
`DB_UNIQUE_NAME`	The unique name of the database within the domain as specified by the `DB_UNIQUE_NAME` initialization parameter.
`ENTERPRISE_IDENTITY`	The enterprise-wide identity of the user, or `NULL` for local users, SYSDBA, and SYSOPER.
`FG_JOB_ID`	Job identifier of the current session if a client foreground process opened it; otherwise, `NULL`.
`GLOBAL_CONTEXT_MEMORY`	The number used in the System Global Area by the globally accessed context.
`GLOBAL_UID`	The global user identification from Oracle Internet Directory for Enterprise User Security logins; otherwise, `NULL`.
`HOST`	The name of the client host computer.
`IDENTIFICATION_TYPE`	The way the user schema was created in the database: `LOCAL`, `EXTERNAL`, `GLOBAL SHARED`, or `GLOBAL PRIVATE`.
`INSTANCE`	The identification number of the current instance, such as `1`.
`INSTANCE_NAME`	The name of the database instance.
`IP_ADDRESS`	The IP address of the client, such as `10.255.255.255`.
`ISDBA`	`TRUE` if the user was authenticated with DBA privileges; otherwise, `FALSE`.
`LANG`	A short name for the session language, such as `US` for `AMERICAN`.
`LANGUAGE`	The language, territory, and database character set in the form `language_territory.characterset`, such as `AMERICA_AMERICAN.WE8DEC`.
`MODULE`	The application name set through the `DBMS_APPLICATION_INFO` package or OCI, such as `JDBC Thin Client` or `SQL Developer`.
`NETWORK_PROTOCOL`	The network protocol being used for communication, such as `TCP`.
`NLS_CALENDAR`	The session calendar, such as `GREGORIAN`.
`NLS_CURRENCY`	The session currency mark, such as $.
`NLS_DATE_FORMAT`	The session date format, such as `DD-MON-RR`.
`NLS_DATE_LANGUAGE`	The session date language, such as `AMERICAN`.
`NLS_SORT`	`BINARY` or a linguistic sort basis, such as `XSPANISH`.
`NLS_TERRITORY`	The session territory, such as `AMERICA`.
`OS_USER`	The operating system user name of the client process that initiated the database session.
`SERVER_HOST`	The host name of the computer where the database instance is running.
`SERVICE_NAME`	The name of the service the session is connected to., such as `SYS$USERS`.
`SESSION_USER`	The database user name or schema name that identified the user at login, such as `SH`.
`SESSIONID`	The session identifier, such as `120456`.
`SID`	The session number, such as `86`.

Example

SYS_CONTEXT('USERENV','NLS_DATE_FORMAT') returns a value such as DD-MON-RR.