Procedural Language extension of SQL (PL/SQL) combines SQL with procedural programming features such as looping, conditionals, and reusable blocks. PL/SQL engine processes PL/SQL statements. PL/SQL statements can reside on the client on server.

The prime benefits of PL/SQL are the ability to:

1. reuse code with blocks
2. use procedural language features such as conditionals and loops
3. error handling