I was not looking to pass the variable in when calling the script, but to explicitly set it at the beginning of the script so that I could use it over again in multiple statements. Kind of like what the preprocessor does, it replaces all instances of the defined variable with a constant. The DEFINE keyword was exactly what I was looking for, although I have already thought of a use for your example!
Thanks Erik -----Original Message----- Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 6:29 PM To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L To expand on your description of define, I thought Erik may be looking for a way to pass the variables in. Maybe this will be of some use. sqlplus id/pwd @test 'a b c' 'd e f' Where test.sql is: define field1 = '&1' define field2 = '&2' select '&field1', '&field2' from dual; HTH, John >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/15/03 07:43AM >>> I'm not sure this is what you wnat, but here is a short example of the use of DEFINE / UNDEFINE and && (Accept once but use many times inside script without re-prompt) ---------------------------------------------------------- define testtyp = Repair / select * from buy_type where buy_typ = '&&testtyp'; select buy_typ||'---' from buy_type where buy_typ = '&&testtyp'; undefine testtyp / ---------------------------------------------------------------- HTH D. Phillips ----- Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 10:04 AM > I am using substitution variables in SQLPlus, but don't want to be prompted > for their values. I want to set them at the start of the script. Kind of > like a preprocessor directive. Is this possible? > > Erik > -- > Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net > -- > Author: Erik Williams > INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com > San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message > to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in > the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L > (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may > also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). > -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: David L Phillips INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: John Carlson INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: Erik Williams INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).