Describe the difference between a trigger and a stored procedure in Oracle PL/SQL.

The Difference Between a Trigger and a Stored Procedure in Oracle PL/SQL

In Oracle PL/SQL, the trigger and the stored procedure are both essential components for database management. Understanding their differences is crucial for efficient data processing and manipulation.

Focus Keyword: Oracle PL/SQL Trigger vs Stored Procedure

Oracle PL/SQL Trigger:

An Oracle PL/SQL trigger is a special type of stored program that automatically executes in response to certain database events. These events can include insertions, updates, and deletions on specific tables. Triggers are powerful tools for enforcing data integrity rules, auditing changes, and automating business processes.

Oracle PL/SQL Stored Procedure:

On the other hand, an Oracle PL/SQL stored procedure is a named block of code that performs a specific task or set of tasks. Unlike triggers, stored procedures are not automatically invoked but are called explicitly by applications or other procedures. They are commonly used for encapsulating business logic, improving code reusability, and enhancing performance by reducing network traffic.

In summary, the key difference between an Oracle PL/SQL trigger and a stored procedure lies in their automatic execution behavior and purpose. While triggers respond to predefined database events, stored procedures are manually invoked and serve as reusable code modules. Both triggers and stored procedures play crucial roles in Oracle PL/SQL development, offering distinct functionalities to meet various data management needs.