A data base procedure is an Oracle PL/SQL program that resides in the data base. Like [data base functions] a procedure may take parameters or not, but will generally perform a computation or a data retrieval and either set values in a buffer area for other programs to use or, more commonly, will update the data base records themselves.

For example, a data base procedure called P2K_SPUXTAXI sets up the values that are required by [Vertex|VERTEX] to compute taxes successfully; A data base procedure called P2K_SSUR updates the data base with upcoming reviews.