31 January 2013

Difference between Stored Procedure and Function

Basic Difference

  1. Function must return a value but in Stored Procedure it is optional( Procedure can return zero or n values).
  2. Functions can have only input parameters for it whereas Procedures can have input/output parameters .
  3. Function takes one input parameter it is mandatory but Stored Procedure may take o to n input parameters..
  4. Functions can be called from Procedure whereas Procedures cannot be called from Function.

Advance Difference

  1. Procedure allows SELECT as well as DML(INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE) statement in it whereas Function allows only SELECT statement in it.
  2. Procedures can not be utilized in a SELECT statement whereas Function can be embedded in a SELECT statement.
  3. Stored Procedures cannot be used in the SQL statements anywhere in the WHERE/HAVING/SELECT section whereas Function can be.
  4. Functions that return tables can be treated as another rowset. This can be used in JOINs with other tables.
  5. Inline Function can be though of as views that take parameters and can be used in JOINs and other Rowset operations.