# Stored Procedures

# Create and call a stored procedure

Stored procedures can be created through a database management GUI (SQL Server example (opens new window)), or through a SQL statement as follows:

-- Define a name and parameters
CREATE PROCEDURE Northwind.getEmployee
    @LastName nvarchar(50),   
    @FirstName nvarchar(50)   
AS   

-- Define the query to be run
SELECT FirstName, LastName, Department  
FROM Northwind.vEmployeeDepartment
WHERE FirstName = @FirstName AND LastName = @LastName  
AND EndDate IS NULL;

Calling the procedure:

EXECUTE Northwind.getEmployee N'Ackerman', N'Pilar';

-- Or  
EXEC Northwind.getEmployee @LastName = N'Ackerman', @FirstName = N'Pilar';  
GO  

-- Or  
EXECUTE Northwind.getEmployee @FirstName = N'Pilar', @LastName = N'Ackerman';  
GO

# Remarks

Stored Procedures are SQL statements stored in the database that can be executed or called in queries. Using a stored procedure allows encapsulation of complicated or frequently used logic, and improves query performance by utilizing cached query plans. They can return any value a standard query can return.

Other benefits over dynamic SQL expressions are listed on Wikipeida (opens new window).

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