In This Chapter

You can use Stored Procedure Language (SPL) statements to write SPL routines (formerly referred to as stored procedures), and you can store these routines in the database as user-defined routines (UDRs). SPL routines are effective tools for controlling SQL activity. This chapter contains descriptions of the SPL statements. The description of each statement includes the following information:

• A brief introduction that explains the effect of the statement
• A syntax diagram that shows how to enter the statement correctly
• A syntax table that explains each input parameter in the syntax diagram
• Rules of usage, including examples that illustrate these rules

If a statement is composed of multiple clauses, the statement description provides information about each clause.

For an overview of the SPL language and task-oriented information about creating and using SPL routines, see the IBM Informix Guide to SQL: Tutorial.

In Extended Parallel Server, to create an SPL function you must use the CREATE PROCEDURE statement or the CREATE PROCEDURE FROM statement. Extended Parallel Server does not support the CREATE FUNCTION statement nor the CREATE FUNCTION FROM statement.

In Dynamic Server, for backward compatibility, you can create an SPL function with the CREATE PROCEDURE or CREATE PROCEDURE FROM statement. For external functions, you must use the CREATE FUNCTION or CREATE FUNCTION FROM statement. It is recommended that you use the CREATE FUNCTION or CREATE FUNCTION FROM statement when you create new user-defined functions.

The SPL language does not support dynamic SQL. You cannot include any of the SQL statements that Overview of SQL Syntax classifies as "Dynamic Management Statements" within an SPL routine.