# Compiling PL/SQL Away

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1909.03291 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1909.03291/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 7 Sep 2019.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [The Duck's Brain: Training and Inference of Neural Networks in Modern Database Engines](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.17355/) (2023)
- [Credo: Reusable Declarative Primitives for Agentic Workflows](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.27790/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

"PL/SQL functions are slow," is common developer wisdom that derives from the tension between set-oriented SQL evaluation and statement-by-statement PL/SQL interpretation. We pursue the radical approach of compiling PL/SQL away, turning interpreted functions into regular subqueries that can then be efficiently evaluated together with their embracing SQL query, avoiding any PL/SQL to SQL context switches. Input PL/SQL functions may exhibit arbitrary control flow. Iteration, in particular, is compiled into SQL-level recursion. RDBMSs across the board reward this compilation effort with significant run time savings that render established developer lore questionable.