Stored procedure maintenance: Which command is used to force recompilation of an existing stored procedure (consider common SQL dialects that support explicit recompilation)?

Introduction / Context:
Stored procedures can become invalid due to dependency changes (e.g., altered tables or views). Database administrators may need to recompile a procedure to refresh its execution plan or to revalidate dependencies without changing its source code.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We target the canonical command used in SQL dialects that support explicit compilation.
• Examples: Oracle supports “ALTER PROCEDURE COMPILE”.
• We distinguish between recompilation and redefining/creating procedures.

Concept / Approach:
The ALTER PROCEDURE statement (in systems that support it) is used to recompile or revalidate an existing procedure. Other options either are vendor-specific utilities (e.g., SQL Server’s sp_recompile invoked via EXEC) or imply replacing the source text (CREATE OR REPLACE), which is not strictly “recompile” without source changes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify action: recompile without altering source.Map to DDL verb: ALTER PROCEDURE ... COMPILE (platforms that support explicit compile).Exclude utilities and create/replace workflows.Select “ALTER PROCEDURE.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Platform docs show ALTER PROCEDURE ... COMPILE (Oracle) as the standard approach to recompile invalid procedures. Other systems may recompile implicitly on first execution or use different mechanisms, but ALTER PROCEDURE captures the generic DDL intent.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
COMPILE PROCEDURE: not a standard SQL statement.

CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE: recreates definition, not a pure recompile.

EXEC sp_recompile: specific to SQL Server and not a SQL command keyword.

None of the above: incorrect because ALTER PROCEDURE is valid.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming every DBMS uses the same syntax; however, ALTER PROCEDURE (with a compile clause) represents the cross-vendor idea of explicit recompilation.

Final Answer:
ALTER PROCEDURE