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Asked: 2023-03-02T09:16:42-05:00 In:

What is a stored procedure?

A stored procedure is a set of SQL statements that are stored in the database and can be executed by calling the procedure. It is used to perform a specific task or set of tasks.

When students first start working with databases, they usually write SQL queries one by one—sometimes very long queries, and sometimes the same queries again and again.
To make this process easier, more organized, and more efficient, SQL gives us a powerful feature called a stored procedure.

A stored procedure is simply a group of SQL statements that is saved (or “stored”) inside the database, so you can run it whenever you need with just one call.
Instead of writing the same logic repeatedly, you store it once and reuse it.

I often tell my students to think of it like a recipe stored in the kitchen.
Whenever you need that dish, you don’t rewrite the recipe from scratch—you just use the stored instructions.
A stored procedure works exactly the same way for the database.

Key Points About a Stored Procedure

  • It is a named, saved SQL program inside the database

  • It can contain multiple SQL statements, loops, conditions, and logic

  • It can accept parameters (like inputs)

  • It returns results or performs actions such as insert, update, delete

  • It improves performance, security, and code reusability

Simple Example

CREATE PROCEDURE GetEmployeesByDept
@DeptID INT
AS
BEGIN
SELECT EmpName, Salary
FROM Employees
WHERE DepartmentID = @DeptID;
END;

Now, instead of writing that SELECT query every time, you can simply call:

EXEC GetEmployeesByDept 30;

And the database will return all employees from department 30.

Why Do We Use Stored Procedures?

  • To avoid repeating long SQL queries

  • To speed up execution because procedures are precompiled

  • To secure data by controlling what users can run

  • To organize database operations in a clean, modular way

  • To keep all important logic where it belongs — inside the database

In short,
a stored procedure is a reusable program written in SQL that helps you run complex database operations quickly, safely, and efficiently.

sql

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