What is the difference between SQL and PLSQL?

tl:dr:

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard language used in managing data in relational database management systems
PL/SQL is an extension of SQL used in Oracle database management system.

What is SQL?

SQL, short for Structured Query Language, is the query language used to create, maintain, and retrieve data held in a relational database. It’s used as the standard language across all relational database management systems: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, etc. However, each database management system has its extensions thus the syntax and some functionalities might be different.

SQL was developed by IBM in the early 1970s under the name SEQUEL. Then due to some level trademark issues, it’s renamed to SQL, though a lot of people still call it sequel today.

What is PL/SQL?

PL/SQL or Procedural Language/SQL is another extended form of SQL which is used by Oracle for their database. It consists of procedural language constructs like conditional statements (if else statements) and loops like (FOR loops).

With PL/SQL, you can organize multiple SQL queries into a block to execute all at once thus improve the query performance.

What is the difference between SQL and PL/SQL?

Let’s put SQL and PL/SQL in perspectives:

Objects: SQL is used to write DDL and DML statements, while PL/SQL is used to write procedures, views, functions, packages, triggers.
Execution: SQL statements are executed one by one, while PL/SQL statements executed by a block containing multiple SQL statements.
Usage: SQL statements are mostly used for analytical reporting techniques, while PL/SQL statements are mainly used for building applications and adding business logic.
Embedding: You can embed SQL statements into the PL/SQL block but cannot do the other way around.

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