What is PL/SQL and what are its advantages?

PL/SQL (Procedural Language/SQL) is Oracle's procedural extension to SQL. It combines the data manipulation power of SQL with the processing power of procedural languages.

Key Advantages:

• Integration: Seamlessly integrates with SQL
• Performance: Reduced network traffic by processing logic on database server
• Error Handling: Robust exception handling mechanisms
• Portability: Runs on any platform where Oracle runs
• Security: Stored procedures provide security layer
• Modularity: Code reusability through procedures and functions

Basic Structure:

DECLARE
    -- Variable declarations
    v_employee_name VARCHAR2(100);
BEGIN
    -- Executable statements
    SELECT first_name INTO v_employee_name 
    FROM employees 
    WHERE employee_id = 100;
    
    DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(v_employee_name);
EXCEPTION
    -- Exception handling
    WHEN NO_DATA_FOUND THEN
        DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Employee not found');
END;
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