DBMS OUTPUT buffer limit solution [SP2-0547]

In previous versions of Oracle, we can specify the size of the output buffer either using the sqlplus setting set serveroutput on or the DBMS_OUTPUT.ENABLE procedure. The explicit size range for the buffer is the same in 10.2 (as seen in error messages below), but there is a new "UNLIMITED" alternative to the upper bound. In the following examples, it is interesting to note Oracle's interpretation of the high number we attempt to set, which gives us an indication of the real limits it is working to.

SQL> set serveroutput on size 1000
SP2-0547: size option 1000 out of range (2000 through 1000000)

SQL> set serveroutput on size 1000000000000
SP2-0547: size option 3567587328 out of range (2000 through 1000000)

The unconstrained set serveroutput on setting is now equivalent to set serveroutput on size unlimited. Both of these sqlplus commands execute "DBMS_OUTPUT.ENABLE(NULL)" which can be seen in the trace file if running with SQL trace on.

set serveroutput on size unlimited