Data is the most integral component for the functioning of any organization. With the increasing importance of data, the need to store such a vast chunk of data is necessary. This brings databases into the picture and when we talk about relational database languages, PL/SQL and SQL stand as one of the most popular. Although it might seem that PL/SQL and SQL are intertwined in many ways, there are actually several differences between the ways in which they operate. Unlike SQL which executes a single query at a time, PLSQL can execute a whole block of code at a time. PLSQL and SQL also differ in terms of their performance, error handling capabilities, and database interaction. Be it an IT student or a database administrator, one must be acquainted with the differences between SQL and PL/SQL. So, let’s dive into knowing what these relational languages are and what are the differences between them. Show
What is SQL?Structured Query Language (SQL) is a powerful, non-procedural, database language that is used to create, maintain and retrieve the relational database (a type of database that provides and stores data that are related to each other). Developed by IBM in the 1970s, it enables end-users to interact with several database management systems as per the availability. SQL offers a larger degree of abstraction than procedural (code that is written as a sequence of instructions) languages and is quite user-friendly.SQL is very popular among programmers and is used by more than 50 percent of programmers. Some features of SQL are: Confused about your next job?In 3 simple steps you can find your personalised career roadmap in Software development for FREE
There are six types of commands in SQL. They are as follows:
Advantages of SQLSQL has numerous advantages which makes it a highly popular and reliable language to use. Some of them are as follows:
Disadvantages of SQLThe disadvantages of SQL are given below:
What is PL SQL?PL/SQL is a procedural (code that is written as a sequence of instructions) language that enables programmers to combine the power of SQL with procedural statements. PL/SQL stands for Procedural Language extensions to SQL. In PL/SQL, all the statements are executed at once which consists of triggers, functions, procedures, etc, that enhance the functionality of an operation and decrease the traffic. Developed by Oracle Corporation in the 1990s, it was designed to build server pages and web applications and exhibits features such as abstraction and error handling. The structure of a PL/SQL block consists of four parts: Declare, Begin, Exception and End. It is illustrated in the figure below. PL SQL BlockFeatures of PL SQLSome features of PL/SQL are:
Advantages of PL SQLThere are numerous advantages of using PL/SQL. Some of them are mentioned below:
Disadvantages of PL SQLThe disadvantages of PL/SQL are mentioned below:
Key DifferencesThere are many differences between SQL and PL/SQL. SQL is a non-procedural language that executes a single query at a time whereas, PL/SQL is a procedural language and executes blocks of code at once which helps reduce traffic and increases processing speed. PL/SQL provides supports features such as variables, conditional (if-else statements), and iterative (loops such as for, while) constructs. SQL does not provide support for these features. PL/SQL also offers error and exception handling features that do not exist in SQL. PL/SQL is used to write a programming block that has procedures, functions, triggers, packages, and variables within its syntax. On the other hand, SQL queries and commands are written using DDL (Data Definition Language), and DML (Data Manipulation Language). SQL Vs PL SQL
ConclusionThe bottom line is that adding a new skill to your portfolio is always a wise decision, as it enhances both your potential and your earnings. PL/SQL is SQL combined with some added procedural features and it performs all the things that SQL performs but on large volumes of data using procedures, functions, control structures, cursors, and triggers. SQL tells us what data is needed but does not specify how it can be retrieved. This is where PL/SQL comes into the picture. The advent of PL/SQL has enabled us to deal with complex SQL problems with ease which earlier were a pain in the neck. In this era, data is the new oil and managing data has been of prime importance, unlike any other time. This makes the use of PL/SQL integral for the functioning of many organizations. Knowledge of SQL and PL/SQL can prove quite handy. Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Which is better: SQL or PL/SQL? Q: Why
do we use PL/SQL instead of SQL? Q: Is Oracle SQL the same as
PL/SQL? Q: Where is PL/SQL used? Q: Can we use PL/SQL in MySQL? Additional Resources
Warum PL SQL?PL/SQL übernimmt die Robustheit, Sicherheit und Portabilität der Datenbank. PL/SQL ist eine prozedurale Sprache, die speziell für SQL-Anweisungen in ihrer Syntax entwickelt wurde. PL/SQL-Programmeinheiten werden vom Oracle Database-Server zusammengestellt und in der Datenbank gespeichert.
Welche SQL gibt es?Data Definition Language (DDL) – Befehle zur Definition des Datenbankschemas (Erzeugen, Ändern, Löschen von Datenbanktabellen, Definition von Primärschlüsseln und Fremdschlüsseln) Data Control Language (DCL) – Befehle für die Rechteverwaltung. Transaction Control Language (TCL) – Befehle für die Transaktionskontrolle.
Ist Oracle SQL?Die Oracle-Software ist an PL/SQL gebunden, eine von Oracle entwickelte Lösung, die eine Reihe von proprietären Programmiererweiterungen zu Standard-SQL hinzufügt – eine gängige Praxis unter RDBMS-Anbietern. Oracle Database unterstützt die Programmierung in Java und PL/SQL.
Was genau ist SQL?Die Abkürzung SQL (Structured Query Language) steht für eine Standardsprache, um Datenbankstrukturen zu erstellen sowie die darin enthaltenen Daten abzufragen, zu verwalten und zu bearbeiten.
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