Introduction SQL: Structured Query Language (SQL) is a standard Database language that is used to create, maintain and retrieve the relational database. The advantages of SQL are:
- SQL could be a high-level language that has a larger degree of abstraction than procedural languages.
- It enables the systems personnel end-users to deal with several database management systems where it is available.
- Portability. Such porting could be required when the underlying DBMS needs to be upgraded or changed.
- SQL specifies what’s needed and not however it ought to be done.
Introduction to PL/SQL: PL/SQL is a block-structured language that enables developers to combine the power of SQL with procedural statements. All the statements of a block are passed to the oracle engine all at once which increases processing speed and decreases the traffic. PL/SQL stands for “Procedural Language extensions to SQL.” PL/SQL is a database-oriented programming language that extends SQL with procedural capabilities. It was developed by Oracle Corporation in the early 90s to boost the capabilities of SQL. PL/SQL adds selective (i.e. if…then…else…) and iterative constructs (ie. loops) to SQL. PL/SQL is most helpful put in writing triggers and keeping procedures. Stored procedures square measure units of procedural code keep during a compiled type inside the info. The advantages of PL/SQL are as below:
- Block structures: It consists of blocks of code, which can be nested within each other. Each block forms a unit of a task or a logical module. PL/SQL blocks are often kept within the info and reused.
- Procedural language capability: It consists of procedural language constructs like conditional statements (if-else statements) and loops like (FOR loops).
- Better performance: PL/SQL engine processes multiple SQL statements at the same time as one block, thereby reducing network traffic.
- Error handling: PL/SQL handles errors or exceptions effectively throughout the execution of a PL/SQL program. Once an associate degree exception is caught, specific actions can be taken depending upon the type of the exception or it can be displayed to the user with a message.
Comparisons of SQL and PLSQL:
| Sr. No. | Basis of Comparison | SQL | PL/SQL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Definition | It is a database Structured Query Language. | It is a database programming language using SQL. |
| 2. | Variables | Variables are not available in SQL. | Variables, constraints, and data types features are available in PL/SQL. |
| 3. | Control structures | No Supported Control Structures like for loop, if, and other. | Control Structures are available like, for loop, while loop, if, and other. |
| 4. | Nature of Orientation | It is a Data-oriented language. | It is an application-oriented language. |
| 5. | Operations | Query performs the single operation in SQL. | PL/SQL block performs Group of Operation as a single block resulting in reduced network traffic. |
| 6. | Declarative/ Procedural Language | SQL is a declarative language. | PL/SQL is a procedural language. |
| 7. | Embed | SQL can be embedded in PL/SQL. | PL/SQL can’t be embedded in SQL. |
| 8. | Interaction with Server | It directly interacts with the database server. | It does not interact directly with the database server. |
| 9. | Exception Handling | SQL does not provide error and exception handling. | PL/SQL provides error and exception handling. |
| 10. | Writes | It is used to write queries using DDL (Data Definition Language) and DML (Data Manipulation Language) statements. | The code blocks, functions, procedures triggers, and packages can be written using PL/SQL. |
| 11. | Processing Speed | SQL does not offer a high processing speed for voluminous data. | PL/SQL offers a high processing speed for voluminous data. |
| 12. | Application | You can fetch, alter, add, delete, or manipulate data in a database using SQL. | You can use PL/SQL to develop applications that show information from SQL in a logical manner. |