PL/SQL is an extension for SQL and Oracle. It enhances the capabilities of SQL. Therefore, with every release of the Oracle Database, the feature and functionalities of PL/SQL is enhanced. It is strongly integrated with SQL and supports both static and DYNAMIC SQL.

The following are the characteristics of PL/SQL:

• PL/SQL is a procedural language that extends SQL.
• PL/SQL has a built-in interpreted PROGRAMMING environment.
• PL/SQL's syntax is shaped ADA and Pascal programming language.
• It is an Extension to SQL
• Structured programming is possible with PL/SQL through functions and procedures.
• It has Block Structures as well as nest block structures. Executes as a whole block.
• PL/SQL has object-oriented features in it.
• Provides High PERFORMANCE for Applications
• Triggers are stored in a database and fired when some event occurs. The event here can be a Database Manipulation statement i.e. DELETE, INSERT, or UPDATE, or a Database Definition statement (CREATE, ALTER, or DROP).
• Productivity to Programmers
• PL/SQL is a standard language for Oracle development.
• PL/SQL is used to write program blocks, functions, procedures triggers, etc.
• It has cursors. Oracle forms a memory area, when an SQL statement is PROCESSED. This memory area is called CONTEXT area. A cursor in PL/SQL is a pointer to this context area. It has information about processing the statement.
• PL/SQL also comes with the functionality of Triggers.