Can't declare variable in Firebird 2.5, why?

Question

I have a one line query:

DECLARE VARIABLE var_SecondsOfTime INTEGER;

But after running the query I am getting this message:

Engine Error (code = 335544569): Dynamic SQL Error. SQL error code = -104. Token unknown - line 1, column 9. VARIABLE.

SQL Error (code = -104): Invalid token.

I've looked everywhere on the Internet and all examples showing the same declaration style which I am using.

What is wrong?

Shalon

Where are you declaring your variable?? stored procedure, or where? from where are you executing your code, isql? other? – Zischke

@jachguate: I am declaring it in a plain query, which is executed by FirebirdMaestro application. I guess it connects to the DB via isql. As I said it is one line query, nothing more. No stored procedure, nothing. Just this line of code. – Shalon

Answer 1

Firebird 2.5 supports execution of code blocks surrounded by a execute block statement, try this:

set term ^ ;

EXECUTE BLOCK 
AS
   DECLARE VARIABLE var_SecondsOfTime INTEGER;

BEGIN
  SELECT 1 from RDB$DATABASE into var_SecondsOfTime ;
END
^

set term ; ^

I issued the select because I'm pretty sure it is not possible to execute an empty block, try this by yourself removing the select.

Edit My original select was invalid for a block, I added the into clause to collect the result. I never used firebird maestro, but it now works perfectly on isql, as shown.

Zischke

Thank you for your interest, the error which I have after executing your code is this: Engine Error (code = 335544569): Dynamic SQL Error. SQL error code = -104. Token unknown - line 1, column 1. END. SQL Error (code = -104): Invalid token. Maybe there is something wrong with Firebird Maestro..? – Shalon

@Shalon the block was missing a into clause. I personally never used firebird maestro, so I don't know if it requires a different terminator, I surrounded the block on a couple of set term clauses just in case. – Zischke

Thanks for your intereest, I'll check your updated answer shortly and will let you know if it worked. – Shalon

The second set term needs the semi colon before the carat.. set term ;^ . – Music

Answer 2

Try this:

set term ^ ;

EXECUTE BLOCK 
AS
   DECLARE VARIABLE var_SecondsOfTime INTEGER;

BEGIN
  SELECT  1 from RDB$DATABASE  into :var_SecondsOfTime ;
END^

set term  ;^

The second set term needs the semi colon before the carat.

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