Explain the difference between a stored procedure and a function in PL/SQL.

Stored Procedure vs Function in PL/SQL

When it comes to PL/SQL, understanding the difference between a stored procedure and a function is crucial. Let's delve into their distinctions:

Stored Procedure:

• A stored procedure is a set of SQL statements that perform a specific task or set of tasks.
• It can contain both SQL statements and procedural code.
• Stored procedures can be called explicitly by a user or another program.
• They can accept input parameters and return multiple output parameters.
• Stored procedures do not return values directly; they can modify data but do not return values like functions.

Function:

• A function is a subprogram that computes a value based on the inputs and returns a single value.
• Functions must return a single value using the RETURN statement.
• Functions are primarily used for computations and return values.
• They can be called from SQL statements directly.
• A function can be used in SQL queries within the SELECT statement to retrieve data.

So, in summary, while stored procedures are designed for performing tasks, functions are meant for computations and returning values.

Understanding the distinctions between stored procedures and functions in PL/SQL can greatly enhance your database management capabilities and improve the efficiency of your code.