Can you explain the difference between a stored procedure and a function in PL/SQL?

1 Answers
Answered by suresh

Sure! In PL/SQL, the main difference between a stored procedure and a function lies in their return types.

A **stored procedure** in PL/SQL is a subprogram that performs a specific task or set of tasks. It can manipulate data, generate output, and perform various operations, but it does not have to return a value. Stored procedures are commonly used to encapsulate complex business logic or processing tasks.

On the other hand, a **function** in PL/SQL is also a subprogram that performs a specific task. However, the key difference is that a function must return a value. Functions are designed to take input parameters, perform calculations or operations based on those inputs, and then return a result. Functions are frequently used for calculations and data manipulation tasks.

In summary, a stored procedure in PL/SQL is used for executing tasks without necessarily returning a value, while a function is used for performing calculations or operations and must return a value.

Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions regarding PL/SQL stored procedures and functions!

Answer for Question: Can you explain the difference between a stored procedure and a function in PL/SQL?