What is the purpose of using PL/SQL?

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PL/SQL is an extension of SQL. While SQL is non-procedural, PL/SQL is a procedural language designed by Oracle. It is invented to overcome the limitations of SQL.

PL/SQL (Procedural Language/Structured Query Language) is a programming language designed specifically for managing and manipulating Oracle databases. The purpose of using PL/SQL includes:

  1. Database Interaction: PL/SQL is primarily used for interacting with Oracle databases. It allows you to create, modify, and manage database objects such as tables, views, procedures, functions, and triggers.
  2. Procedural Programming: PL/SQL supports procedural programming constructs, such as loops, conditionals, and exception handling. This allows developers to write complex business logic and procedural code within the database.
  3. Data Manipulation: PL/SQL enables the manipulation of data stored in the database. You can use it to retrieve, update, insert, and delete records in Oracle tables.
  4. Transaction Management: PL/SQL provides features for managing transactions. It supports transaction control statements like COMMIT, ROLLBACK, and SAVEPOINT, allowing developers to maintain data consistency and integrity.
  5. Error Handling: PL/SQL includes robust error-handling mechanisms, allowing developers to handle exceptions and errors gracefully. This is crucial for building robust and reliable database applications.
  6. Modularity: PL/SQL supports the creation of modular code through the use of procedures and functions. This enhances code reusability and maintainability.
  7. Security: PL/SQL allows developers to encapsulate sensitive business logic within the database, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and ensuring better security.
  8. Performance: By allowing the execution of code within the database server, PL/SQL can lead to improved performance as it reduces the need for frequent round-trips between the application and the database server.

In summary, the purpose of using PL/SQL is to provide a powerful and efficient means for developing and managing database applications within the Oracle environment.