DB2 Version 9.7 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows

Types of routines

There are many different types of routines. Routines can be grouped in different ways, but are primarily grouped by their system or user definitions, by their functionality, and by their implementation.

The supported routine definitions are:

The supported functional types of routines are:

Routines: Procedures (also called stored procedures)
Routines: Functions
Routines: Methods

The supported routine implementations are:

The following diagram illustrates the classification hierarchy of routines. All routines can be either system-defined or user-defined. The functional types of routines are in dark grey/blue boxes and the supported routine implementations are in light grey/orange boxes. Built-in routine implementations are emphasized, because this type of implementation is unique.

Figure 1. Classifications of routines

Shows the classification hierarchy of routines

The various types of routines provide extensive support for extending SQL language functionality and for developing more modular database applications.