Reference Manual
   CHAPTER 9. SQL Statements     

DECLARE statement

Function 

To declare a SQL variable within a compound statement (BEGIN... END).

Syntax 

DECLARE variable_name data-type

Description 

Variables used in the body of a procedure or trigger can be declared using the DECLARE statement. The variable persists for the duration of the compound statement in which it is declared.

The body of a Watcom-SQL procedure or trigger is a compound statement, and variables must be declared immediately following BEGIN. In a Transact-SQL procedure or trigger, there is no such restriction.

Standards and compatibility 

• SQL/92     Persistent Stored Module feature.

• Sybase     Supported by Adaptive Server Enterprise.

  • To be compatible with Adaptive Server Enterprise, the variable name must be preceded by an @.

  • In Adaptive Server Enterprise, a variable that is declared in a procedure or trigger exists for the duration of the procedure or trigger. In Adaptive Server Anywhere, if a variable is declared inside a compound statement, it exists only for the duration of that compound statement (whether it is declared in a Watcom-SQL or Transact-SQL compound statement).

Examples 

• The following batch illustrates the use of the DECLARE statement and prints a message on the server window:

  BEGIN
    DECLARE varname CHAR(61) ;
    SET varname = 'Test name';
    MESSAGE name;
  END