Data can be considered as facts or information that can be related to an object or a thing, such as a person’s height, weight, and student or employee identification number. To store and manage the data, we require a system that makes data manipulation and retrieval easy. For this purpose, a relational database management system is used. A relational database is a collection of multiple data sets that are structured using tables, columns, and rows.
To interact with these databases, you will require database manipulation languages. Two of the most commonly used database languages are SQL and PL/SQL.
PLSQL vs. SQL
SQL stands for Structured Query Language that you can use for adding, deleting, updating, and manipulating data in a database. SQL has an extension called PL/SQL, which is a programming language. Users use the SQL statements within the PL/SQL code to develop programs.
| Basis of Differences | SQL | PLSQL |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | SQL works as a source of data stored in the form of tables, columns, and rows. This data can be retrieved, modified, and displayed using SQL statements you provide. | In PLSQL, you can create programs that will display the contents of the database or table that is fetched using the SQL statements. |
| Execution |
|
In PL/SQL, an entire block of code is executed at once. |
| Type of language | SQL is a declarative language and a data-oriented language that is used to manipulate and analyze the data using SQL queries. It instructs what the database has to do with the data, but not how to do it. | PLSQL is a procedural language that is used to develop applications that tell the database what to do with the data. It is used to add business logic to back end systems. |
| Embedding | SQL statements can be inserted within the PL/SQL programs. | PLSQL code statements cannot be inserted in the SQL code. |
| Uses |
|
PL/ SQL is used to provide the logic behind database applications. Languages like Java and PHP can be used with PL/ SQL to insert the logic statements. Additionally, it offers support for web applications and server pages. |
What is SQL?
SQL is the standard database programming language developed by IBM in 1970. Most relational databases support the SQL language. This is immensely helpful for Database Administrators, as they have to handle databases on a variety of platforms. The relational database management system (RDBMS) lays down the foundation for all modern SQL servers such as MySQL, Microsoft Access, MS SQL Server, and Oracle.
It has two essential parts:
- DDL
- DML.
What is DDL?
DDL stands for Data Definition Language that is used for defining the schema or structure of the database.
Different SQL commands in DDL are:
- Create
- Alter
- Drop
- Comment
- Truncate
- Rename
What is DML?
DML stands for Data Manipulation Language. It is used for accessing and modifying the contents of the database.
Different SQL commands in DML are:
- Insert
- Delete
- Select
- Update
Read here Difference between DBMS and RDBMS
Additionally, it has other methods to modify data in a relational database. They are:
TCL (Transaction Control Language)
These commands are used for checking the effect of other commands on the database:
- Commit
- Rollback
- Savepoint
DCL (Data Control Language)
These commands are used to grant or take back privileges from database users:
- Grant
- Revoke
DQL (Data Query Language)
This command is used to pull data from databases based on certain conditions:
- Select
Apart from database administration, SQL is used for writing data integration scripts and executing analytical queries for data analysis.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional, SQL is the first language you will come across when learning databases. As the learning curve is not very steep, picking up the basics won’t be tough.
Advantages of SQL
- The language is extremely portable as it runs on desktops, laptops, smartphones, and servers. The databases supported by SQL can be transported easily between different devices
- Extensive programming knowledge is not required as the standard SQL statements can be used to manipulate the databases
- It supports the client/ server architecture as it connects the front and back end systems
- Using SQL, you can develop multiple views of the same database and execute data operations
- It is easy to understand and learn as it contains mainly English statements for the queries.
- Moreover, the queries can e executed fast, so it is ideal for beginners
- It is open source and has a large community of developers and forums where you can look for support if needed
What is PL/SQL?
Developed in 1992 by Oracle, PL/SQL is a procedural database language. It is a combination of SQL and procedural statements. The PL/ SQL full form is Procedural Language extensions to SQL. Its syntax is based on the programming languages of Pascal and ADA. It works by executing a block of code that has the following:
- Triggers
- Variables
- Functions
- Loops
- Packages
It provides you with a programming environment that is independent of any operating system.
The entire code block is fed to the database engine at once so that code is processed faster. These blocks of code can be reused by nesting them under each other. Programmers can write effective code for manipulating databases as Pl/ SQL has for loops and if-else statements.
PLSQL Architecture
Its architecture consists of three components:
PL/SQL Block
This is the code block that is executed. It consists of three sections:
- Declarative section for declarative statements
- Execution section consisting of the processing statements
- An exception handling section
It also contains the SQL instructions to communicate with the database server. The code block acts as the primary input in the architecture.
PL/SQL Engine
The PL / SQL Engine processes the code. Based on the input, the engine separates the SQL part and the PL/SQL statements. The engine itself processes the PL/SQL statements. The SQL part is sent to the database server for interacting with the database.
The engine can be installed in the application and the database server.
Database Server
The server stores the data. The interaction with the database takes place here using the SQL statements. The SQL executor parses the SQL statements and runs them.
Advantages of Pl/ SQL
- Error handling is very efficient in PL/ SQL. When an exception or an error is raised, user-friendly messages are displayed, and the executing block is stopped
- As a block of code is sent for processing, network traffic is reduced, and as a result, the database applications perform better
- It benefits the programmer as variables can be declared within the code block and can be utilized when processing a query
- The language is portable and applications developed through PL/ SQL can be run on any operating system
- It offers features such as data hiding, encapsulation, and object-oriented programming. This will save you a lot of time during coding an application
- Transaction performance of the applications can be enhanced as PL/ SQL lets you perform intermediate calculations without the Oracle engine
Conclusion
We have understood that SQL and PL/ SQL have different uses and architecture. SQL is a declarative language that is used to give necessary instructions to the database. But PL/ SQL is procedural and provides methods to extract data from a database.
SQL statements can be inserted in a block of PL/ SQL code, but not the other way around. So, if you aim to perform simple database manipulations like insert and update, SQL is perfect for you. But if you want to go ahead and develop applications that tweak the contents of a database, PL/ SQL is your best option.