Database procedures are compiled, stored, and managed by the DBMS Server. Database procedures can be used in conjunction with rules to enforce database integrities, or to perform frequently repeated operations. When the procedure is created, its execution plan is saved, reducing the execution overhead.

Database procedures can be created interactively or in an embedded program. A database procedure can be executed in a host language program, in terminal monitor, in another database procedure, or in a 4GL program. Database procedures can also be invoked by rules. For more information, see the chapter “Understanding Database Procedures, Sessions, and Events.”