Difference between Stored Procedure and Function in SQL Server

Stored Procedures are pre-compile objects which are compiled for first time and its compiled format is saved which executes (compiled code) whenever it is called. But Function is compiled and executed every time when it is called.

Differences:

1)     Stored Procedure can return zero or n values whereas function can return one value which is mandatory.

2)      Stored Procedures can have input/output parameters for it whereas functions can have only input parameters.

3)      Stored Procedure allows select as well as DML statement in it whereas function allows only select statement in it.

4)      Functions can be called from stored procedure whereas procedures cannot be called from function.

5)      Exception can be handled by try-catch block in a Stored procedure whereas try-catch block cannot be used in a function.

6)      We can go for transaction management in Stored procedure whereas we can't go in function.

7)     Stored Procedures cannot be utilized in a select statement whereas function can be embedded in a select statement.

8)      UDF can be used in the SQL statements anywhere in the WHERE/HAVING/SELECT section where as Stored procedures cannot be.

9)      UDFs that return tables can be treated as another rowset. This can be used in JOINs with other tables.

10)  Inline UDF's can be though of as views that take parameters and can be used in JOINs and other Rowsetoperations.