Answer / guru

stored procedure : It is Pre Compiled Code(PCode) it is stored
in Database. we can reuse without compile.

Function: It need compile whenever it will run.

Answer / s. elaiyaraja

The Main difference between stored procedure and Function
is SP's can return the value or not, but Functions should
return the value.

And We can use the function within the Queries, but sp's we
won't able to use it in the queries.

We can implicitely execute the sp's. But function's we
can't.

Answer / abapdeveloper09

Adding to S. Elaiyaraja's responnse:
- Functions should have RETURN clause

Answer / hemanth

1) functions are used for computations where as procedures
can be used for performing business logic

2) functions MUST return a value, procedures need not be.

3) you can have DML(insert, update, delete) statements in a
function. But, you cannot call such a function in a SQL query..
eg: suppose, if u have a function that is updating a table..
you can't call that function in any sql query.
- select myFunction(field) from sometable;
will throw error.
4)We can call a function from a procedure, but it is not
possible to call a procedure from a function

Answer / abhirup roy

In The above answers all the major differences have been disclosed, with one wrong information.
We can call a procedure from a function and vice-versa (as long as the function and procedure has same/similar scope).
In order to defend my point I am posting one small code below for reference.
DECLARE
PROCEDURE my_proc;
FUNCTION my_func RETURN NUMBER IS
BEGIN
my_proc;
RETURN -003;
END my_func;

PROCEDURE my_proc IS
BEGIN
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('22');
END my_proc;

BEGIN -- main
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(my_func);
END;

-- IT WILL WORK FOR EVERY OCCURRENCE --

Answer / preethi

another important difference between procedure and function
is inside procedure we can use DML statements but inside the
function only select can be used not delete and update.

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