For distributed SQL programs, a package is an object that contains control structures used to execute SQL statements. Packages are produced during program preparation. The control structures can be thought of as the bound or operational form of SQL statements. All control structures in a package are derived from the SQL statements embedded in a single source program.
A package can also be created by the QSQPRCED API. Packages created by the QSQPRCED API can only be used by the QSQPRCED API. They cannot be used at an application server through DRDA protocols. For more information, see the OS/400 APIs information in the Programming category of the AS/400 Information Center.
The QSQPRCED API is used by AS/400 Client Access for Windows 95/NT to create packages for caching SQL statements executed via ODBC, JDBC and SQLJ interfaces.
For non-distributed SQL programs, the control structures used to execute SQL statements are stored in the associated space of the non-distributed SQL program.
The term access plan is used in general to describe the control structures in the associated space of an SQL program or SQL package used to execute SQL statements.