What are the differences between prepared statements and stored procedures?

What are the differences between prepared statements and stored procedures?

Prepared statements are SQL statements that are precompiled and stored in a database, allowing for efficient execution. Stored procedures, on the other hand, are a set of SQL statements that can be executed as a single call, often containing business logic.

When should I use prepared statements instead of stored procedures?

Use prepared statements when you need to execute the same query multiple times with different parameters, as they offer better performance and security against SQL injection. Stored procedures are better for encapsulating complex logic and operations.

Are there any performance differences between the two?

Yes, prepared statements can be faster for repeated executions of the same query, while stored procedures can be more efficient for complex operations that require multiple SQL statements.

Can I use both in the same application?

Absolutely! You can use prepared statements for simple queries and stored procedures for more complex operations within the same application.