What is the Difference Between Procedure and Function in Oracle

The main difference between Procedure and Function in Oracle is that the Procedure may or may not return a value, but a function must always return a value.

Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to manage the data stored in relational databases. PL/SQL is an extension language of SQL that was designed to manage data stored in Oracle relational databases. On the other hand, a subprogram is a programming unit that performs a specific task. These subprograms can be invoked using a set of parameters. Moreover, they combine together to create a large program. Functions and procedures are two types of the subprogram in PL/SQL.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is Procedure in Oracle
     -Definition, Functionality
2. What is Function in Oracle
     -Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Procedure and Function in Oracle
     -Comparison of key differences

Key Terms

Function, Oracle, Procedure, SQL

Difference Between Procedure and Function in Oracle - Comparison Summary

What is Procedure in Oracle

Procedure is a block which performs a specific task which consists of two main sections which are header and body. The header consists of the name, and the parameters passed to the procedure whereas the body consists of a declaration section, execution section and exception section.

An example of creating a procedure is as follows.

The table name is Student. Firstly, the programmer can create it as follows.

create or replace table student (id number (10) primary key, name varchar2(100));

Secondly, he can write the procedure. Below is the procedure to insert a record to the student table. Finally, the programmer can call the procedure.

Difference Between Procedure and Function in Oracle

Furthermore, he can remove the procedure as follows. The name of the procedure is procedure1.

drop procedure procedure1;

What is Function in Oracle

A function is similar to a procedure, but it always returns a value. Then, the programmer can use the below code to call the function.

Main Difference - Procedure vs Function in Oracle

Furthermore, the programmer can remove the function as follows. The function1 is the name of the function.

 drop function function1;

Difference Between Procedure and Function in Oracle

Definition

Procedure is a type of subprogram available in PL/SQL language of Oracle database that does not return a value directly. In contrast, a function is a type of subprogram available in PL/SQL language of Oracle database that returns a value always. Thus, this explains the main difference between Procedure and Function

Main Task

Importantly, a procedure performs a task, but a function computes and returns a value.

Return values

A procedure may or may not return a value, but a function always returns a value.

Conclusion

In brief, two subprograms in PL/SQL of Oracle are procedure and function. These subprograms use IN, OUT, and INPUT parameters. The programmer uses these parameters to create procedures and functions. The main difference between Procedure and Function in Oracle is that a procedure may or may not return a value, but a function must always return a value.

References:

1.“PL/SQL Procedure – Javatpoint.” Www.javatpoint.com, Available here.
2.“PL/SQL Function – Javatpoint.” Www.javatpoint.com, Available here.

About the Author: Lithmee

Lithmee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering and is reading for her Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is passionate about sharing her knowldge in the areas of programming, data science, and computer systems.

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