What is the difference between a function and a stored procedure in PL/SQL?

Function vs Stored Procedure in PL/SQL

When it comes to PL/SQL, both functions and stored procedures are important elements. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between the two:

Function:

• A function is a subprogram in PL/SQL that returns a single value.
• Functions must return a value using the RETURN keyword.
• Functions can be called from SQL statements or other PL/SQL blocks.
• Functions are typically used for calculations or data manipulation tasks.
• Functions cannot perform DML operations like INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE.

Stored Procedure:

• A stored procedure is a subprogram in PL/SQL that performs one or more tasks.
• Stored procedures may or may not return values using OUT parameters.
• Stored procedures are used for executing business logic or tasks that require multiple steps.
• Stored procedures can perform DDL and DML operations.
• Stored procedures can be called from other PL/SQL blocks or programming languages.

It's important to choose between a function and a stored procedure based on the specific requirements of your application. Functions are suitable for tasks that require single value output, while stored procedures are ideal for complex tasks that involve multiple steps and operations.