Syntax options:
FROM statement-string
FROM parameter
Specifies the SQL statement to be prepared for dynamic execution.
You either specify the statement string directly enclosed in
single quotation marks, or in a parameter (a host language
variable in a precompiled PREPARE statement or a formal parameter
in a PREPARE statement that is part of an SQL module language
procedure) that contains the statement string.
Whether specified directly or by a parameter, the statement
string must be a character string that is a dynamically
executable SQL statement. If you specify the statement string
directly, the maximum length is 1,024 characters. If you specify
the statement string as a parameter, the maximum length of the
statement string is 65,535 characters.
The form for the statement is the same as for embedded SQL
statements, except that:
o You must not begin the string with EXEC SQL.
o In places where SQL allows host language variables in an
embedded statement, you must specify parameter markers
instead.
If you try to prepare an invalid statement, you will find a value
in the SQLCODE, the SQLCODE field of the SQLCA, or the SQLSTATE
status parameter indicating an error.
The values returned to the SQLCODE field are described in the
Oracle Rdb SQL Reference Manual. Check the message vector to
see which error message was returned. If necessary, refer to the
error message explanations and user actions located by default in
the SQL HELP ERRORS.
Parameter markers are question marks (?) that denote parameters
in the statement string of a PREPARE statement. Parameter markers
are replaced by values in parameters or dynamic memory when the
prepared statement is executed by an EXECUTE or OPEN statement.