What is a stored procedure?

A stored procedure is essentially a group of SQL statements that are saved in the database under a specific name. This pre-defined collection of commands can be executed as a single unit, which streamlines the process of running complex transactions or operations. Stored procedures offer several benefits, including improved performance due to reduced network traffic (since multiple statements can be sent to the database in a single call) and enhanced security by controlling user access to the underlying database tables.

This structured approach allows developers and database administrators to encapsulate business logic within the database itself, making the logic reusable and easier to maintain. When executed, the stored procedure can include various operations such as data manipulation or retrieval, allowing for efficient database management.

In contrast, the other options do not effectively describe what a stored procedure is. For example, while a method to create classes in databases pertains to object-relational mapping, it doesn’t capture the core utility of stored procedures. A single SQL statement executed independently does not convey the batch processing capability that stored procedures provide. Lastly, an interface for SQL command execution refers more to interactive SQL shells or programming language APIs rather than the concrete implementation of a stored procedure.