What's the Key Difference Between PL/SQL Functions and Procedures?

Understanding the Distinction Between Functions and Procedures in PL/SQL

In the realm of programming, functions and procedures play crucial roles. PL/SQL, a procedural language designed for database applications, also offers these constructs. However, they differ in certain aspects that are essential to grasp.

Functions vs Procedures: Key Difference

The primary distinction between functions and procedures lies in their ability to return a value. Functions possess this capability, while procedures do not. This means that functions can output a value that can be used or assigned to variables, while procedures solely execute a series of statements.

Example: Functions and Procedures in Action

To illustrate this difference, consider the following examples:

-- Procedure without a return value
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE my_proc
(p_name IN VARCHAR2 := 'John') as
begin
  -- Statements to execute
end;

-- Function with a return value
CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION my_func
(p_name IN VARCHAR2 := 'John') return varchar2 as
begin
  -- Statements to execute
  return(my_varchar2_local_variable);
end;

In the function example, the return clause specifies the data type of the value being returned. In this case, my_varchar2_local_variable represents the value to be returned by the function.

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