PL/SQL - Overview

Complete Tutorial

PL/SQL features ---

• PL/SQL is an extension of SQL
• It is an application development language containing procedural statements and commands along with SQL commands
• It bridges the gap between database technology and procedural programming languages
• It allows you to process data using flow control statements like iterative loops and conditional branching
• Uses procedural techniques of control, looping and branching
• Supports SQL i.e. cursor operations, exceptions, functions and transactional commands
• Variables and constants, robust error handling and functions
• Adds functionality to non-procedural tools such as SQL*Forms
• Developers using SQL*Forms can enter an entire PL/SQL block using a single trigger

Structure of PL/SQL

• Standard PL/SQL code segment is called a Block
• A block consists of three parts or sections

1. Declaration Part
2. Executable Part
3. Exception Handling Part

Declaration Part
               optional part where variables  are defined
Executable Part
               mandatory part which consists of executable statements
Exception Handling Part
               optional part which consists of code for handling errors (runtime)