Difference Between SQL and PLSQL

Difference Between SQL and PLSQL

Key Differences

There 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 support 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 and DML.

Sr. No.	Comparison	SQL	PL/SQL
1	Definition	It is a database Structured Query Language.	It is a database programming language using SQL.
2	Variables	Variables are not available in SQL.	Variables, constraints, and data types features are available in PL/SQL.
3	Control structures	No Supported Control Structures like for loop, if, and other.	Control Structures are available like, for loop, while loop, if, and other.
4	Nature of Orientation	It is a Data-oriented language.	It is an application-oriented language.
5	Operations	Query performs the single operation in SQL.	PL/SQL block performs Group of Operation as a single block resulting in reduced network traffic.
6	Declarative/ Procedural Language	SQL is a declarative language.	PL/SQL is a procedural language.
7	Embed	SQL can be embedded in PL/SQL.	PL/SQL can’t be embedded in SQL.
8	Interaction with Server	It directly interacts with the database server.	It does not interact directly with the database server.
9	Exception Handling	SQL does not provide error and exception handling.	PL/SQL provides error and exception handling.
10	Writes	It is used to write queries using DDL (Data Definition Language) and DML (Data Manipulation Language) statements.	The code blocks, functions, procedures triggers, and packages can be written using PL/SQL.
11	Processing Speed	SQL does not offer a high processing speed for voluminous data.	PL/SQL offers a high processing speed for voluminous data.
12	Application	You can fetch, alter, add, delete, or manipulate data in a database using SQL.	You can use PL/SQL to develop applications that show information from SQL in a logical manner.