What are the benefits of using stored procedures?

Stored procedures offer benefits such as improved performance, better security, and easier code maintenance.

Stored procedures can significantly improve performance in a database system. They are precompiled and stored on the database server, which allows them to execute much faster than individual queries. This is because the database engine only needs to compile the procedure once and can then execute it multiple times, reducing the overhead of parsing and compiling SQL statements each time they are run. This can be particularly beneficial in large systems where complex queries are frequently run.

In terms of security, stored procedures can provide a layer of protection against SQL injection attacks. This is because they use parameterised queries, which means that the SQL code and the data are sent separately. This makes it much harder for an attacker to inject malicious SQL code into the query. Additionally, stored procedures can be set up with specific permissions, limiting what actions can be performed on the database. This can help to prevent unauthorised access or changes to the data.

Stored procedures also make code maintenance easier. Since the SQL code is stored on the server, it can be updated or modified without affecting the client applications that use it. This means that changes can be made to the database logic without needing to update and redeploy the client applications. This can save a lot of time and effort in a large system with many client applications.

Furthermore, stored procedures promote code reuse and consistency. Once a stored procedure is created, it can be used by multiple applications, ensuring that the same logic is applied consistently across the system. This can help to reduce the amount of code that needs to be written and tested, and can also help to prevent bugs and errors.

Finally, stored procedures can also help to simplify complex operations. They can contain multiple SQL statements, control-of-flow statements (like IF...ELSE), and error handling routines, making it easier to perform complex operations and handle any errors that occur. This can make the code easier to understand and maintain, and can also help to improve the reliability and robustness of the system.