Introduction to PL/SQL
Introduction to PL/SQL
PL/SQL stands for Procedural Language which is an extension to SQL. This is the standard data access language that is used by Oracle in relational databases. It ensures that procedural constructs are integrated seamlessly into SQL. Structured Query Language is the language that is commonly used in relational databases to gain access and modify data. One limitation of SQL is when there is need to have data with some conditions. An example is given below:
PL/SQL defines a block that is used for writing code. The block becomes easier to manage and maintain. With PL/SQL, modern programming techniques like inheritance and encapsulation is attained. State-of-the-art programming is introduced in the Oracle server and tool sets. All tools and features that are found in 3GL languages are introduced by PL/SQL. The structure of PL/SQL includes the PL/SQL block, the procedural statement executor, and SQL statement executor. When a PL/SQL block is submitted to the server, the PL/SQL engine first parses the block. After the parsing, the block is passed to procedural statement executor and then it is passed from there to SQL statement executor.
There are benefits that come with PL/SQL which include the fact that there is improved performance, integration of procedural constructs with SQL. Since SQL tells the database what to do, the PL/SQL part tells the database how to do the task that has been issued with. Performance has been improved with PL/SQL as now it is possible to combine logic.
References
Oracle Corporation. (2009). Introduction to PL/SQL. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from Oracle : http://www1.pu.edu.tw/~jsyeh/2011Spring/IDBS/OraclePPT/D59413/D59413-Les01.pdf
