Oracle database does not recognize type when using procedure

Question

I declared my types in the package header:

file_2.sql

CREATE OR REPLACE PACKAGE MY_UTILS
IS
TYPE VECTOR IS TABLE OF PLS_INTEGER INDEX BY PLS_INTEGER;
TYPE MATRIX IS TABLE OF VECTOR INDEX BY PLS_INTEGER;
PROCEDURE PRINT_MATRIX(p_matrix IN MATRIX);
END MY_UTILS;

My print matrix procedure

PROCEDURE PRINT_MATRIX(p_matrix IN MATRIX)  IS
BEGIN
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('printing matrix..');
END PRINT_MATRIX;

The procedure PRINT_MATRIXmakes DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINEprinting a matrix simple ; When I try to use mine MY_UTILS.PRINT_MATRIX(v_matrix), I get an error:

PLS-00306: invalid number or types of arguments when calling 'PRINT_MATRIX'

In my other file, .sqlI also declare the MATRIX type the same as in the package.

file_1.sql

set serveroutput ON;
DECLARE
TYPE VECTOR IS TABLE OF PLS_INTEGER INDEX BY PLS_INTEGER;
TYPE MATRIX IS TABLE OF VECTOR INDEX BY PLS_INTEGER;
v_matrix MATRIX;
BEGIN
--populate matrix, printing it works with 2 FOR LOOPS
MY_UTILS.PRINT_MATRIX(v_matrix); -- error
END;

Answer 1

Oracle treats your variable as a different type for a formal argument. They look the same to you, buy Oracle, they are two different types.

:

, , .

:

DECLARE
  v_matrix MY_UTILS.MATRIX;
BEGIN
  --populate matrix, printing it works with 2 FOR LOOPS
  MY_UTILS.PRINT_MATRIX(v_matrix); -- error
END;