What is the Difference Between Procedures and Functions in Programming?

The main difference between procedures and functions in programming lies in their purpose, return values, and usage:

1. Purpose:

• Functions are used to calculate results based on given inputs and perform tasks in a specific order.
• Procedures are used to perform certain tasks based on the given inputs and do not return any value to the calling function or code.

1. Return Values:

• Functions always return a value after execution.
• Procedures can return a value using "IN OUT" and "OUT" arguments, but they do not have to.

1. Usage:

• Functions can be called within a query.
• Procedures can be called within a query, but they cannot be called by a function.

1. DML Statements:

• DML (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) statements cannot be executed within a function.
• DML statements can be executed within a procedure.

1. Calling:

• A function can be called by a procedure.
• A procedure cannot be called by a function.

In summary, functions are typically used to calculate and return values based on given inputs, while procedures are used to perform tasks without necessarily returning a value. The choice between using a function or a procedure depends on the specific requirements of the programming task at hand.

Comparative Table: Procedures vs Functions in Programming

Here is a table highlighting the differences between procedures and functions in programming:

In summary, functions are used to perform specific tasks and return a value, whereas procedures are used to perform tasks in a specific order without returning a value. Functions can only read data and be called within a query, while procedures can read and modify data and execute DML statements.