PL/SQL
Intended Audience
This section is intended for all hosted data services users who want to move beyond basics and start to create advanced applicaiton in their workspace.
About PL/SQL
Unique to Oracle, PL/SQL is a procedural language extension to Structured Query Language (SQL). The purpose of PL/SQL is to combine database language and procedural programming language. The basic unit in PL/SQL is called a block, which is made up of three parts: a declarative part, an executable part, and an exception-building part.
Because PL/SQL allows you to mix SQL statements with procedural constructs, it is possible to use PL/SQL blocks and subprograms to group SQL statements before sending them to Oracle for execution. Without PL/SQL, Oracle must process SQL statements one at a time and, in a network environment, this can affect traffic flow and slow down response time. PL/SQL blocks can be compiled once and stored in executable form to improve response time.
A PL/SQL program that is stored in a database in compiled form and can be called by name is referred to as a stored procedure. A PL/SQL stored procedure that is implicitly started when an INSERT, UPDATE or DELETE statement is issued against an associated table is called a trigger.
To learn more about PL/SQL, type “PL/SQL” or "PL/SQL tutorial" on the web search engines (e.g Google, Yahoo), you may find more information or tutorial on PL/SQL.