1. In a 200 words or less explain the differences between SQL and PL/SQL? Why do we need SQL in a procedural language?
2. Respond to the following in 100 words-APA Format and Cite work
SA
SQL is a structured query language that is used to retrieve and manipulate data as well as create and modify objects in a database. There are some capabilities for logic in SQL statements such as case and decode statements, but it is very limited. PL/SQL is a procedural language that has many more logic options available such as if-else statements and for loops. However, PL/SQL isn't very useful without SQL to retrieve and manipulate the data. For instance, you can use SQL to retrieve a value from a table and based on the value; use an if-else statement to choose to update a value in another table or not. PL/SQL also has a few other features that make it more efficient than just SQL alone. One being that PL/SQL transmits multiple SQL statements at one time in a block whereas SQL sends each statement separately thus saving bandwidth. Another is that PL/SQL that is stored in the database as a program unit is stored in executable form and is cached in memory making it more efficient to run (Casteel, 2013, pp. 3-4).
Reference:
Casteel, J. (2013). Oracle 11g: PL/SQL programming. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.
3. Respond to the following in 100 words-APA Format and Cite work
Structured Query Language (SQL) is used primarily to conduct various actions within a database. These actions are typically categorized as data manipulation (DML), data definition (DDL), querying, and transaction control. DML includes actions like insertion, update, deletion. DDL includes, alteration, creation, and dropping. Queries are performed via select statements, and transaction control can be conducted via commit and rollback statements (Casteel, 2013, p. 15).
PL/SQL is Oracle's procedural language extension of SQL. Procedural languages are used to design logic statements which control decision making and the flow of information which makes a system conduct tasks. By extending procedural language to SQL, programmers gain the ability to perform traditional programming logic alongside SQL statements. The textbook example points out the use of PL/SQL to validate a customer input by checking database details after a customer has conducted a certain action. Using PL/SQL can improve performance by packaging multiple statements, increase productivity through enhanced integration, increased portability, and better security (Casteel, 2013, p. 4).
Reference
Casteel, J. (2013). Oracle 11g: PL/SQL Programming (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Course Technology.