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Procedures

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In a database management system (DBMS), a procedure is a set of structured Query Language (SQL) statements with an assigned name that's stored in the database executed form so that it can be shared by a number of programs.

It is like as Function the main difference between a procedure and function is the, a Function must always return a value, but a Procedure does not return a value.

The procedures can be helpful in controlling access to data (end-users may enter or change data but do not write procedures), preserving data integrity (information is entered in a consistent manner) and improving productivity (statements in a stored procedure only need to be written one time.

Stored procedures provide a powerful way to code application logic that can be stored on the server.

A stored procedure or in simple a proc is a named PL/SQL block which performs one or more specific task. Oracle also uses an additional type of subprogram called a function.

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A Procedure has two parts:

1: Header 2: Body

The header contains of the name of the procedure and the parameters or variables passed to the procedure. The body contains declaration section, execution section and exception section it is similar to a normal PL/SQL block.

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