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What is the difference between a scalar function and a table valued function in SQL Server? What are the main differences between a stored procedure and a function in terms of what each one can and cannot do? How do you use output parameters in a stored procedure to return a value back to the calling code, in addition to or instead of a normal result set? What is the difference between using EXEC and calling a stored procedure through parameterized application code, and why does this distinction matter for security? How does SQL Server compile and cache execution plans for stored procedures, and how does this affect performance compared to ad hoc queries? How would you design a stored procedure to handle a complex business process involving multiple steps, proper error handling, and transaction management together?
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SQL Server › Stored Procedures & Functions

What is a stored procedure in SQL Server, and what are the main benefits of using one?

Beginner

Answer

A stored procedure is a saved, reusable collection of SQL statements stored directly in the database, offering benefits like improved performance through plan reuse, better security since users can be granted permission to execute a procedure without direct table access, and easier maintenance since the logic lives in one central place.
CREATE PROCEDURE GetCustomerOrders
  @CustomerId INT
AS
BEGIN
  SELECT * FROM Orders WHERE CustomerId = @CustomerId;
END;

EXEC GetCustomerOrders @CustomerId = 123;
Real-world example A company creates a stored procedure to retrieve a customer's orders, letting their application call a single, secure, reusable procedure instead of embedding raw SQL queries directly throughout the application code.

Common follow-ups: How do stored procedures help improve security compared to allowing direct table access?;Can a stored procedure call other stored procedures?

Dynamic SQL;Query Optimization & Plans
All 7 Stored Procedures & Functions questions