PL/SQL | Advantages & Disadvantages
Pl/SQL – PL/SQL stands for Procedural Language extensions to the Structured Query Language (SQL). It is a block-structured language that enables developers to combine the power of SQL with procedural statements. PL/SQL includes procedural language elements like conditions and loops. It allows declaration of constants and variables, procedures and functions, types and variable of those types and triggers .
PL/SQL is used to write entire program blocks/procedures/functions, etc. It is declarative, that defines what needs to be done, rather than how things need to be done. PL/SQL is procedural that defines how the things need to be done .
Oracle uses a PL/SQL engine to process the PL/SQL statements.
Advantages of PL/SQL:
1. High-level of execution: Unlike SQL, where a single statement executes one at a time, PL/SQL executes the entire block of code containing multiple statements .
2. Enhancing database development: PL/SQL provides a powerful toolset for database development, including the ability to create stored procedures, functions, and triggers.
3. Improving performance: PL/SQL is designed to execute quickly and efficiently, making it an ideal choice for high-performance applications .
4. Providing error handling capabilities: PL/SQL includes robust error handling capabilities that allow developers to catch and handle errors in their code .
5. Facilitating the creation of reusable code: PL/SQL allows developers to create reusable code blocks that can be used across multiple applications .
6. Security: PL/SQL allows you to encapsulate sensitive operations and restrict access, enhancing security. Only authorized users can execute PL/SQL code, and you can grant granular permissions.
Disadvantages of PL/SQL:
1. Requiring specialized knowledge: Because PL/SQL is a procedural language, it requires specialized knowledge that may not be familiar to all .
2. Being limited to Oracle databases: While PL/SQL is a powerful tool for Oracle databases, it is not compatible with other database systems .
3. Potentially leading to security vulnerabilities: Poorly written PL/SQL code can lead to security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
4. Debugging: Debugging PL/SQL code can be more complex compared to some other languages, as it often involves using Oracle-specific tools and techniques.
