Specifies a search condition that controls how many times SQL can execute a compound statement. SQL evaluates the WHILE search condition. If it evaluates to TRUE, SQL executes the associated sequence of SQL statements. If SQL does not encounter an error exception, control returns to the WHILE clause at the top of the loop for subsequent evaluation. Each time the search condition evaluates to TRUE, the WHILE- DO statement executes the SQL statements embedded within its DO . . . END WHILE block. If the search condition evaluates to FALSE or UNKNOWN, SQL bypasses the DO . . . END WHILE block and passes control to the next statement.