Introduction:

PL is a Procedural Language extension while SQL is Structured Query Language. Commonly, SQL is useful to perform some basic operations of building a database, adequately storing data in the database, making updates in the database, retrieving the stored data of the database, and more.  Whereas PL/SQL is a completely Structured Procedural language that allows the developer to integrate the powers of SQL with its procedural statements. It is indeed a very useful programming language in the tech world. Most developers use it for their specific programming needs. Getting expertise in this will help you do your work more efficiently. With Oracle PL/SQL Online Training, you can get to learn to most useful techniques to employ in your daily programming activities. Moreover, becoming an expert in this will help you move in your career and work at better positions. Moving further, let’s read about some of its excellent features.

Features of PL/SQL:

The following are some significant features of PL/SQL:

Portable:

PL/SQL applications are easy to execute with all kinds of operating systems which has an Oracle installation.

Efficient:

All types of calculations can easily be done using PL/SQL without using an Oracle engine. This further improves the transaction performance.

Error-checking:

PL/SQL enables error-checking and further displays user-friendly messages when any kind of error comes into the picture.

Development tool:

PL/SQL supports the execution of SQL statements with the additional functionality of variable declaration. It also helps in managing conditional statements, looping and branching procedures, functions, and other triggers.

Exception Handling:

PL/SQL code is well capable of managing exceptions that can affect the overall flow of the program. Therefore, helps to make the code even more reliable.

Adding to all the above features present in PL/SQL, the use of PL/SQL programming is evident in real-life projects using databases. As it can easily perform different logical operations on the database.

Understanding the Architecture of PL/SQL:

PL/SQL Block

PL/SQL Engine

Database Server

PL/SQL block:

This is the component that stores the actual PL/SQL code.

This consists of various sections to separate the code logically. Such as a declarative section for different declaring purposes, an execution section for allowing processing statements, or an exception-handling section for managing errors.

Further, it also hosts the SQL instruction that is useful in interacting with the database server.

All the PL/SQL units are treated like simple PL/SQL blocks. Now this appears to be the starting stage of the architecture which acts as the primary input.

Following are the various kinds of PL/SQL units.

Anonymous Block

Function

Library

Procedure

Package Body

Package Specification

Trigger

Type

Type Body

PL/SQL Engine

PL/SQL engine is the section that carries the actual processing of the codes.

After this, the divided PL/SQL units are easy to handle by the PL/SQL engine itself.

The SQL part is sent to the database server which looks after the actual interaction with the database.

It is easy to install in both the database server and also in the application server.

Database Server:

This is the most crucial component of the PL/SQL unit which adequately stores the data.

The PL/SQL engine makes use of the SQL from PL/SQL units to connect with the database server.

It includes an SQL executor which moves ahead of the input SQL statements and further executes the same.

Difference between SQL and PL/SQL:

Here are some major differences you can witness between SQL and PL/SQL:

SQL is actually a single query useful to perform DML and other DDL operations.

PL/SQL is a block of codes that is in use to write the complete program blocks/ steps/ function, and more.

Also, SQL is declarative, which defines what requires to be done, in place of how things need to be done.

PL/SQL is additionally a procedural that shows how things require to be done.

SQL basically executes as a single statement.

Whereas, PL/SQL executes as a whole block.

SQL is useful in manipulating data.

While PL/SQL is useful in creating an application.

SQL may interact with a Database server.

Whereas, PL/SQL shows no interaction with the database server.

Conclusion:

After reading its features and architecture you must have got an idea about how actually PL/SQL works. However, in order to get in-depth knowledge, take Oracle PL/SQL Course in Noida to expand your knowledge breath. After going through this course, it will definitely be easier for you to work on it. Thus, learn this growing programming language and make a step ahead in your programming career.