title: Why is my VARCHAR2 being converted to a LONG in my PL/SQL?
body: <p>I am using PL/SQL Developer 9.0.6, working on an Oracle 11g database.</p>
  
  <p>I have a procedure in a package that creates some dynamic SQL to be run with <code>execute immediate</code>.  The variable <code>vSQL</code> is declared as <code>varchar2(4000)</code>.  My procedure builds and runs <code>vSQL</code> correctly, and returns a <code>ref cursor</code> through an <code>out</code> paramter.</p>
  
  <p>However, while debugging my procedure, something unexpected happened: I set a watch on <code>vSQL</code>, and when the length <code>vSQL</code> gets to 1000 or greater, the value in the Watch window changes from the <em>contents</em> of <code>vSQL</code> to the <em>literal</em> '(Long Value)' and I can no longer view the contents of <code>vSQL</code>.</p>
  
  <p>Why does this happen?  Is there any way that I can cast <code>vSQL</code> so that I can still view it while debugging my procedure?</p>