Difference between Stored procedure vs User Functions in Sql server

Difference between Stored procedure vs User Functions in Sql server

• Procedure may return none or more values. Function must always return one value either a scalar value or a table.

• A user-defined function takes zero or more input parameters and returns either a scalar value or a table.

• Procedure have input,output parameters.Functions have only input parameters.

• Stored procedures are called independently by EXEC command whereas Functions are called from within SQL statement.


• Functions can be called from procedure. Procedures cannot be called from function.


• Exception can be handled in Procedure by try-catch block but try-catch block cannot be used in a function.(error-handling)


• Transaction management possible in procedure but not in function.

Difference between Stored procedure vs User Functions in Sql server

In many situation you can do the same task using either a stored procedure or a function.
Fundamental difference between Stored procedure vs User Functions:
•Procedure may return none or more values.Function must always return one value either a scalar value or a table.

•Procedure have input,output parameters.Functions have only input parameters.
•Stored procedures are called independently by EXEC command whereas Functions are called from within SQL statement.

•Functions can be called from procedure.Procedures cannot be called from function.

•Exception can be handled in Procedure by try-catch block but try-catch block cannot be used in a function.(error-handling)

•Transaction management possible in procedure but not in function.

Procedure allows SELECT as well as DML(INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE) statement in it whereas Function allows only SELECT statement in it.