Oracle PL/SQL is a SQL language extension that combines SQL's data manipulation capabilities with procedural language processing power to make exceptionally strong SQL queries. PL/SQL ensures the smooth processing of SQL statements by improving the database's security, portability, and robustness.

 

PL/SQL involves telling the compiler "what to do" via SQL and '" how to accomplish it' via its procedural approach. It, like other database languages, allows programmers more control through the use of loops, conditions, and object-oriented notions. The full form of PL/SQL is "Procedural Language Extensions to SQL."

 

PL/SQL Full Form

PL/SQL is an acronym that stands for "Procedural Language Extensions to Structured Query Language." Oracle Corporation's procedural extension for SQL and the Oracle relational database is PL/SQL. It is a database language with outstanding performance and integration.

 

In this PL/SQL Tutorial, you will learn PL/SQL basics-

 

  1. What Is a PL/SQL Developer?
  2. PL/SQL Full Form
  3. What Is a PL/SQL Developer?
  4. The Architecture of PL/SQL
  5. Features & Advantages of PL/SQL
  6. Disadvantages of PL/SQL
  7. Difference between SQL and PL/SQL

 

What is PL/SQL Developer?

PL/SQL Developer is a free Integrated Development Environment supplied by Oracle that allows you to easily develop software in the Oracle Database environment and execute numerous database activities. The PL/SQL Developer IDE has a graphical user interface (GUI) and plugins to help end users save time on database tasks.

The Architecture of PL/SQL

The PL/SQL example below is a visual illustration of the PL/SQL architecture.

 

The PL/SQL architecture mainly consists of the following three components:

  1. PL/SQL Block
  2. PL/SQL Engine
  3. Database Server

PL/SQL block:

  • This is the component that contains the PL/SQL code.
  • This consists of many sections that split the code logically (declarative section for stating purpose, execution section for processing statements, and an exception handling section for handling failures). 
  • It also contains SQL instructions that are needed to interface with the database server.
  • All PL/SQL units are considered PL/SQL blocks, and this is the architecture's initial stage, which acts as the principal input.

The following are the different types of PL/SQL units :

  • Anonymous Block
  • Function
  • Library
  • Procedure
  • Package Body
  • Package Specification
  • Trigger
  • Type
  • Type Body

PL/SQL Engine

  • The PL/SQL engine is the component that does the actual code processing.
  • In the input, the PL/SQL engine isolates PL/SQL units from the SQL component (as shown in the image below).
  • The PL/SQL engine will handle the separated PL/SQL units.
  • The SQL portion will be forwarded to the database server, where the real database interaction will take place.
  • It can be installed on both the database and application servers.

Database Server:

  • This is the most crucial part of the Pl/SQL unit that stores the data.
  • The SQL from PL/SQL units is used by the PL/SQL engine to interface with the database server.
  • It includes a SQL executor, which parses and executes the input SQL statements.

Features & Advantages of PL/SQL

  1. Better performance since SQL is run in batches rather than as individual statements.
  2. Productivity is high.
  3. SQL integration is tight.
  4. Complete Portability
  5. Tight security is beneficial to Object Oriented Programming principles.
  6. Scalability and management
  7. Supports the development of web applications.
  8. Supports Development of  

Disadvantages of PL/SQL

  1. Stored Procedures in PL/SQL consume a lot of memory and lack debugging tools.
  2. Any change to the underlying database necessitates a change to the presentation layer as well.
  3. It is difficult to separate HTML development from PL/SQL development since it does not totally separate the duties of back-end developer and front-end developer.

 

Summary

  • Oracle is the creator of PL-SQL.
  • "Procedural Language extensions to the Structured Query Language" is the full form of PL SQL.
  • The Oracle database server provides the best performance for PL-SQL. It is a database language with outstanding performance and integration.
  • Data encapsulation, function overloading, and information concealment are all oops ideas supported by PL/SQL.