Using PREPARE and EXECUTE

Go Up to Method 1: Non-query Statements Without Parameters (Embedded SQL Guide)

To execute a statement string several times, use PREPARE and EXECUTE:

1. Elicit a statement string from the user or create one that contains the SQL statement to be processed. For example, the following statement creates a SQL statement string:

   char *str = "UPDATE DEPARTMENT SET BUDGET = BUDGET * 1.05";
   

2. Parse and name the statement string with PREPARE. The name is used in subsequent calls to EXECUTE:

   EXEC SQL
   PREPARE SQL_STMT FROM :str;
   

   SQL_STMT is the name assigned to the parsed statement string.
3. Execute the named statement string using EXECUTE. For example, the following statement executes a statement string named SQL_STMT:

   EXEC SQL
   EXECUTE SQL_STMT;
   

   Note: PREPARE also accepts string literals. For example,

   EXEC SQL
   PREPARE SQL_STMT FROM
   'UPDATE DEPARTMENT SET BUDGET = BUDGET * 1.05';
   

   Once a statement string is prepared, it can be executed as many times as required in an application.