DECLARE statement

Description

Declares a SQL variable within a compound statement (BEGIN... END).

Syntax

DECLARE variable_name data-type

Examples

Example 1

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 varname;
END

Usage

Variables used in the body of a procedure 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 procedure 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

SQL92 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 Sybase IQ, 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 Sybase IQ SQL or Transact-SQL compound statement).

Permissions

None