Data is one of the significant parts of the digital world. Even an organization needs data for functioning as it is the important part.
Therefore, Storing big-size data is required which leads to databases to pictures. Thereby, relational database languages come into play.
PLSQL and SQL are the most popular among all the relational database languages that are very distinct from each other.
Key Takeaways
- SQL is a query language for managing relational databases, while PL/SQL is a procedural language extension of SQL explicitly used in Oracle databases.
- SQL is used for data manipulation, such as querying, inserting, updating, and deleting data, while PL/SQL adds procedural capabilities, such as loops and conditionals, to SQL.
- PL/SQL allows for better error handling and modular programming compared to SQL.
SQL vs PLSQL
The difference between SQL and PLSQl is that SQL stands for ‘Structured Query Language’, while PLSQL stands for ‘Procedural language extensions to SQL. Secondly, SQL creates a single query at a time, while PLSQL creates blocks of codes at a time. Thirdly, SQL doesn’t support variables, conditional, and iterative constructs. Meanwhile, PLSQL supports variables, conditional and iterative constructs. Fourthly, SQL is considered declarative, while PLSQL is considered procedural. Lastly, SQL’s main use is to create various queries like create a table, delete a table, and so on in the relational database. On other hand, PLSQL’s main use is to write program blocks, procedures, functions, triggers, and packages.
SQL is an abbreviation of ‘Structured Query Language’ that creates a single query at a time. Apparently, its main use is to create various queries like create a table, delete a table, and so on in the relational database.
Moreover, it doesn’t support variable, conditional, and iterative constructs. And it is known to be declarative.
PLSQL is an abbreviation of ‘Procedural Language extensions to SQL’ that creates blocks of codes at a time. Apparently, its main use is to write program blocks, procedures, functions, triggers, and packages.
Moreover, it has a feature that allows it to support variable, conditional, and iterative constructs. And it is known to be procedural.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | SQL | PLSQL |
|---|---|---|
| Refers | SQL stands for ‘Structured Query Language’. | PLSQL stands for ‘Procedural language extensions to SQL. |
| Main use | SQL’s main use is to create various queries like create a table, delete table, and so on in the relational database. | PLSQL’s main use is to write program blocks, procedures, functions, triggers, and packages. |
| Method | SQL is considered declarative. | PLSQL is considered procedural. |
| Support | SQL doesn’t support variables, conditional, and iterative constructs. | PLSQL supports variables, conditional and iterative constructs. |
| Working | SQL creates a single query at a time. | PLSQL creates blocks of codes at a time. |
What is SQL?
SQL stands for ‘Structured Query Language’ that is used to create a single query at a time. The primary work is to create, maintain and retrieve the relational databases.
It was developed by IBM in 1970 allows users to manage several databases.
SQL is widely used as more than 50% of programmers prefer SQL. As for the features of SQL, it is Data Manipulation Language (DML) that allows modification of data, Data definition language has certain instructions which determine the data, Client Service Execution, remote access to the database, security, and authentication features.
Besides, there are six commands in SQL that are Data Manipulation Language(DML), Data Definition Language(DDL), Data Control Language(DCL), Transaction Control Language(TCL), and Data Query Language(DQL).
Moreover, SQL is very popular due to its numerous advantages. Some of them are coding skills that are not needed to use SQL, high query processing speed, standards that are well defined, portable, user-friendly, interactive language, and multiple data views.
However, there are some disadvantages as well, such as complex interface, partial control, operating cost, implementational challenge, and tables dependency. Yet, it is considered one of the most popular relational database languages.
In comparison to PLSQL, it doesn’t support variables, conditional, and iterative constructs. And it also doesn’t support a control structure.
What is PLSQL?
PLSQL stands for ‘Procedural Language extensions to SQL’ that is used to create blocks of codes at a time. The primary work is to write program blocks, procedures, functions, triggers, and packages.
It was developed by oracle in the 1990s allows for building servers pages and web applications.
PLSQL is widely used almost equal to as much as SQL. As for the features of PLSQL, it is tightly integrated with SQL, precisely checks errors, provides a lot of types of data types and data structures, supports Object-Oriented Programming(OOPs), developing server pages and web applications.
Moreover, the PLSQL is also quite popular due to its numerous advantages. Some of them are block structures, better performance, procedural language capabilities, and supports error handling.
However, there are some disadvantages as well, such as limited I/O features, complex Syntax, proprietary to Oracle, and not being beginner-friendly.
In comparison to SQL, it features an option that supports variables, conditional, and iterative constructs. And it also has a feature to support the control structure.
Yet, embedding is not possible by PLSQL in SQL syntax as PLSQL is an extension of SQL.
Furthermore, PLSQL interaction is not directly with the database server as it is in SQL. Yet, it has a high processing speed that handles large data in a procedural manner.
Main Differences Between SQL and PLSQL
Data is a significant part of an organization and managing large data can be a hassle. Therefore, relational database language comes into play.
SQL and PLSQL are relational database languages that are popular among all programmers. Although SQL and PLSQL seem similar, they are quite distinct from each other from functions to features.
Some differences are mentioned below.
- SQL stands for ‘Structured Query Language’, while PLSQL stands for ‘Procedural language extensions to SQL.
- SQL creates a single query at a time, while PLSQL creates blocks of codes at a time.
- SQL doesn’t support variables, conditional, and iterative constructs. Meanwhile, PLSQL supports variables, conditional and iterative constructs.
- SQL is considered declarative, while PLSQL is considered procedural.
- SQL’s main use is to create various queries like create a table, delete a table, and so on in the relational database. On other hand, PLSQL’s main use is to write program blocks, procedures, functions, triggers, and packages.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vUbJkdl6vIcC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=SQL+vs+PLSQL+&ots=rigBREPUAk&sig=_DVCpgV2qMlz7HFXHX_9Q8lFe14
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3318464.3384678
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
