Why is the following code considered bad practice, despite compiling and running without errors?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Using unconditional jumps (GOTO) undermines structured programming and makes code harder to read and maintain, so this code is poor style. Relevant knowledge points: - Structured programming favors high-level control constructs (FOR, IF, EXIT, RETURN) over GOTO. - In PL/SQL a GOTO and labels are legal, so the code compiles and runs even though it uses a jump. - Variables: total is explicitly initialized (total NUMBER := 0;), so there is no initialization bug. Step-by-step execution (complete reasoning and intermediate values): - total starts at 0. - FOR i IN 1..5 LOOP: - i = 1: total := 0 + 1 = 1 → IF total > 10? No. - i = 2: total := 1 + 2 = 3 → IF total > 10? No. - i = 3: total := 3 + 3 = 6 → IF total > 10? No. - i = 4: total := 6 + 4 = 10 → IF total > 10? No (10 is not greater than 10). - i = 5: total := 10 + 5 = 15 → IF total > 10? Yes → GOTO end_process. - Execution jumps to the label <> and prints total (15). The loop is exited by the jump. Why the correct answer is correct: - The GOTO abruptly breaks normal structured control flow, hiding the exit logic and making it harder for a reader to follow program behavior, reason about correctness, or modify later. A clearer structured alternative is to use EXIT WHEN total > 10; inside the loop or return from a subprogram. Such alternatives preserve block structure and readability. Why the other options are incorrect: - "GOTO cannot be used inside FOR loops": false here — PL/SQL allows GOTO and labels; legality is not the issue. - "It uses NULL statements incorrectly": no NULL statements are present or misused. - "total is not initialized properly": false — total is explicitly initialized to 0. Therefore the best answer is: It reduces readability and structured control flow clarity. This matches the provided correct answer.

Why is the following code considered bad practice, despite compiling and running without errors?单项选择题

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