Difference Between SQL and PLSQL

calendarMar 4, 2023 · 6 min read  ·
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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. 

SQL vs PLSQL 

The main 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 SQL vs PLSQL

Parameters of comparison SQLPLSQL
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. 

    • Conclusion 

    Data is an essential aspect of any organization, and managing big amounts of data may be difficult. As a result, relational database language is used. SQL and PLSQL are two of the most widely used relational database languages among programmers. Although SQL and PLSQL appear to be similar, they are very different in terms of functions and capabilities.

    SQL stands for ‘Structured Query Language,’ which allows you to build a single query at a time. Its primary purpose appears to be to generate different queries in relational databases, such as creating a table, removing a table, and so on. Furthermore, variable, conditional, and iterative constructions are not supported. It’s also recognized for being declarative.

    PLSQL stands for ‘Procedural Language extensions to SQL,’ and it is a programming language that constructs blocks of code at a time. Its primary purpose appears to be the creation of program blocks, procedures, functions, triggers, and packages. It also contains a feature that allows variable, conditional, and iterative constructions to be supported. It’s also recognized for being procedural.

    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

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