What is the difference between #include and EXEC SQL INCLUDE statements in Pro*C?

Understanding the Difference between #include and EXEC SQL INCLUDE statements in Pro*C

When it comes to Pro*C programming, it’s crucial to grasp the distinction between the #include and EXEC SQL INCLUDE statements. The focus keyword here is Pro*C.

The #include directive is a preprocessor command that instructs the compiler to include the specified file during the compilation process. It is commonly used to include header files that contain function prototypes and declarations necessary for the program to compile successfully. In the context of Pro*C, #include statements are typically used to include standard C header files or custom header files containing commonly used functions.

On the other hand, the EXEC SQL INCLUDE statement is specific to Pro*C programming and is used to include SQL statements in a Pro*C program. These SQL statements are preprocessed by the Pro*C precompiler to generate the necessary code for database operations. The EXEC SQL INCLUDE statement allows Pro*C programs to seamlessly integrate SQL commands for database interaction.

In summary, while #include is used for including standard or custom header files, EXEC SQL INCLUDE is exclusively used for integrating SQL statements in Pro*C programs for database operations.