What is the difference between UDF and stored procedure in SQL?

The first notable thing that differentiates UDF (that is User Defined Function) and the stored procedure is that the user-defined function must return a value, while the factor for the stored procedure to return value depends on whether there is a value at all to return.

Another difference is that the stored procedure allows you to use, update, and manipulate both select statements and the DML statements, while the user-defined function can only allow you to read the select statements, but deny you from accessing the DML statements. In a stored procedure, you can be able to input and also have the output of parameters, while the user-defined function only allows for the input of parameters, but will not support the output of the same parameters.

The stored procedure allows transactions to happen within functions, but the UDF gives no allowance for this. In addition, store procedure allows the user of temporary table and table variables, while the UDF does not allow for the usage of table variables and temporary table.

A lot of people may get confused about the difference between the two, but to help you out, you should remember a few things. First, the procedure can always return to n values (zero) while the function will return to the mandatory value. Second, the function will only have input parameters, while input will have input/output parameters.

Third, transaction management can be done in the procedure while in function, this is not possible. Fourth, the procedure can create a table but will not be able to return the table. This is different from functions that can make, create, delete, and so so many other things with the table. With these differences, it will be easier for you to know what to do.