The difference between stored procedures and SQL views

May 13, 2024

Stored Procedure:

• Definition
  • A stored procedure is a set of SQL statements that can be compiled and stored in the database, which can then be executed with a single call. It can accept parameters, perform complex operations, and return results.
• Pros
  • Performance: Stored procedures are precompiled, which can lead to performance gains because the SQL server doesn't need to parse and optimize the SQL code each time it's run.
  • Security: They can provide an additional layer of security by restricting direct access to the underlying data tables. Users can be granted permission to execute the procedure without having direct access to the database tables.
  • Complexity Handling: They can handle complex logic and operations, including looping and conditional statements, which are not possible in views.
• Cons
  • Portability: Stored procedures are often specific to a particular database system, making it difficult to port them to other types of databases without modifications.
  • Maintenance: They can be more challenging to debug and maintain, especially if they contain complex logic.

SQL View:

• Definition:
  • A view is a virtual table based on the result-set of an SQL statement. It contains rows and columns, just like a real table, and can encapsulate complex SQL queries.
• Pros
  • Simplification of Complex Queries: Views can simplify the access to data for end-users by hiding the complexity of database schema.
  • Data Abstraction: They provide a level of abstraction; users can interact with data without knowing the details of where data is stored or how it is structured.
  • Security: Like stored procedures, views can be used to restrict user access to the underlying data.
• Cons
  • Performance: Views do not store data physically and every time a view is queried, the underlying queries are executed, which can lead to performance issues unless indexed views are used.
  • Limited Functionality: Views cannot accept parameters and are limited to simple CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations based on their definitions.

Usage:

• Use Stored Procedures when:
  • You need to execute multiple SQL statements or complex business logic.
  • You need to perform operations that involve looping or conditional logic.
  • You want to optimize performance for frequently used operations.
• Use SQL Views when:
  • You want to simplify complex queries for the users.
  • You need a security mechanism that limits the visibility of certain data within the database.
  • You want to present a different view (perspective) of the data, such as aggregating data, or filtering some parts of it.