(1) A set of statements in a program that causes the system to perform an operation or a series of related operations.
(2) In REXX, a series of instructions called with the CALL instruction or as a function. A routine can be either internal or external to a user's program.
(3) A program or sequence of instructions called by a program. Typically, a routine has a general purpose and is frequently used.
(4) A database object that can encapsulate procedural logic and SQL statements, is stored on a database server, and can be invoked using an SQL statement such as the CALL statement. The three main classes of routines are procedures, functions, and methods. See also aggregate function, built-in function, external routine, function, scalar function, sourced function, SQL routine, table function, user-defined function, SQL function, row function, SQL procedure, method, SQL method, procedure.