The Howdy Glossary

SQL Procedural Language (SQLPL) is a powerful extension of SQL that allows database developers to introduce procedural logic, such as stored procedures and user-defined functions, within a relational database management system. Drawing its syntax from programming languages like COBOL and Pascal, SQLPL extends beyond the capabilities of standard SQL queries by enabling complex data manipulation tasks. This integration supports control flow statements, loops, variables, conditional logic, and error handling mechanisms directly within the database server environment.

Developed with contributions from the broader database management and software development community, SQLPL has become widely supported across various database systems. While other languages like PL/SQL for Oracle databases and T-SQL for Microsoft SQL Server offer similar functionality for procedural programming within their respective environments, SQLPL remains distinctive due to its unique syntax borrowed from COBOL and Pascal. This focus on table-based relational models enhances data manipulation capabilities while providing a modular approach to code organization through reusable stored procedures and user-defined functions.

The close integration of SQLPL with standard SQL commands offers significant advantages in terms of performance enhancement and process automation within relational databases. By leveraging procedural programming features tailored specifically for managing data in RDBMS environments, developers can ensure improved efficiency and maintainability through encapsulated logic directly in the database. This makes SQLPL particularly suited for programmers tasked with designing complex business operations, automating routine tasks, maintaining consistency in data handling processes, or developing scalable database applications aiming for high performance and reliability.