14 ANSI Dynamic SQL

14.1.1 Precompiler Options

Set the micro precompiler option DYNAMIC to ANSI, or set the macro option MODE to ANSI, which causes the default value of DYNAMIC to be ANSI. The other setting of DYNAMIC is ORACLE.

In order to use ANSI type codes, set the precompiler micro option TYPE_CODE to ANSI, or set the macro option MODE to ANSI which makes the default setting of TYPE_CODE to ANSI. To set TYPE_CODE to ANSI, DYNAMIC must also be ANSI.

Oracle's implementation of the ANSI SQL types in Table 14-1, "ANSI SQL Datatypes" does not exactly match the ANSI standard. For example, a describe of a column declared as INTEGER will return the code for NUMERIC. As Oracle moves closer to the ANSI standard, small changes in behavior may be required. Use the ANSI types with precompiler option TYPE_CODE set to ANSI if you want your application to be portable across database platforms and as ANSI compliant as possible. Do not use TYPE_CODE set to ANSI if such changes are not acceptable.

14.2.1 Example Code

The following example demonstrates the use of ANSI Dynamic SQL. It allocates an input descriptor ('in') and an output descriptor ('out') to execute a SELECT statement. Input values are set using the SET DESCRIPTOR statement. The cursor is opened and fetched from and the resulting output values are retrieved using a GET DESCRIPTOR statement.

...
char* dyn_statement = "SELECT ename, empno FROM emp WHERE deptno = :deptno_data" ;
int deptno_type = 3, deptno_len = 2, deptno_data = 10 ;
int ename_type = 97, ename_len = 30 ;
char ename_data[31] ;
int empno_type = 3, empno_len = 4 ;
int empno_data ;
long SQLCODE = 0 ;
...
main ()
{
/* Place preliminary code, including connection, here. */
...
EXEC SQL ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'in' ;
EXEC SQL ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'out' ;
EXEC SQL PREPARE s FROM :dyn_statement ;
EXEC SQL DESCRIBE INPUT s USING DESCRIPTOR 'in' ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'in' VALUE 1 TYPE = :deptno_type,
   LENGTH = :deptno_len, DATA = :deptno_data ;
EXEC SQL DECLARE c CURSOR FOR s ;
EXEC SQL OPEN c USING DESCRIPTOR 'in' ;
EXEC SQL DESCRIBE OUTPUT s USING DESCRIPTOR 'out' ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 1 TYPE = :ename_type, 
    LENGTH = :ename_len, DATA = :ename_data ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 2 TYPE = :empno_type, 
    LENGTH = :empno_len, DATA = :empno_data ;

EXEC SQL WHENEVER NOT FOUND DO BREAK ;
while (SQLCODE == 0) 
{
   EXEC SQL FETCH c INTO DESCRIPTOR 'out' ;
   EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 1 :ename_data = DATA ;
   EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 2 :empno_data = DATA ;
   printf("\nEname = %s Empno = %s", ename_data, empno_data) ;
}
EXEC SQL CLOSE c ;
EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'in' ;
EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'out' ;
...
}

Scrollable cursors can also be used with ANSI Dynamic SQL. In order to use ANSI dynamic SQL with scrollable cursors, we DECLARE the cursor in SCROLL mode. Use the various fetch orientation modes with the FETCH statement to access the result set.

14.3.1 Reference Semantics

The ANSI standard specifies value semantics. To improve performance, Oracle has extended this standard to include reference semantics.

Value semantics makes a copy of your host variables data. Reference semantics uses the addresses of your host variables, avoiding a copy. Thus, reference semantics can provide performance improvements for large amounts of data.

To help speed up fetches, use the REF keyword before the data clauses:

EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 1 TYPE = :ename_type,
   LENGTH = :ename_len, REF DATA = :ename_data ;
EXEC SQL DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 2 TYPE = :empno_type,
   LENGTH = :empno_len, REF DATA = :empno_data ;

Then the host variables receive the results of the retrieves. The GET statement is not needed. The retrieved data is written directly into ename_data and empno_data after each FETCH.

Use of the REF keyword is allowed only before DATA, INDICATOR and RETURNED_LENGTH items (which can vary with each row fetched) as in this fragment of code:

int indi, returnLen ;
...
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 1 TYPE = :ename_type,
   LENGTH = :ename_len, REF DATA = :ename_data,
      REF INDICATOR = :indi, REF RETURNED_LENGTH = :returnLen ;

After each fetch, returnLen holds the actual retrieved length of the ename field, which is useful for CHAR or VARCHAR2 data.

ename_len will not receive the returned length. It will not be changed by the FETCH statement. Use a DESCRIBE statement, followed by a GET statement to find out the maximum column width before fetching rows of data.

REF keyword is also used for other types of SQL statements than SELECT, to speed them up. With reference semantics, the host variable is used rather than a value copied into the descriptor area. The host variable data at the time of execution of the SQL statement is used, not its data at the time of the SET. Here is an example:

int x = 1 ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'value' VALUE 1 DATA = :x ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'reference' VALUE 1 REF DATA = :x ;
x = 2 ;
EXEC SQL EXECUTE s USING  DESCRIPTOR 'value' ;    /* Will use  x = 1 */
EXEC SQL EXECUTE s USING DESCRIPTOR 'reference' ; /* Will use x = 2 */

14.3.2 Using Arrays for Bulk Operations

Oracle extends the SQL92 ANSI dynamic standard by providing bulk operations. To use bulk operations, use the FOR clause with an array size to specify the amount of input data or the number of rows you want to process.

The FOR clause is used in the ALLOCATE statement to give the maximum amount of data or number of rows. For example, to use a maximum array size of 100:

EXEC SQL FOR 100 ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'out' ;

or:

int array_size = 100 ;
...
EXEC SQL FOR :array_size ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'out' ;

The FOR clause is then used in subsequent statements that access the descriptor. In an output descriptor the FETCH statement must have an array size equal to or less than the array size already used in the ALLOCATE statement:

EXEC SQL FOR 20 FETCH c1 USING DESCRIPTOR 'out' ;

Subsequent GET statements for the same descriptor, that get DATA, INDICATOR, or RETURNED_LENGTH values, must use the same array size as the FETCH statement.

int val_data[20] ;
short val_indi[20] ;
...
EXEC SQL FOR 20 GET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 1 :val_data = DATA,
  :val_indi = INDICATOR ;

However, GET statements that reference other items which do not vary from row to row, such as LENGTH, TYPE and COUNT, must not use the FOR clause:

int cnt, len ;
...
EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'out' :cnt = COUNT ;
EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 1 :len = LENGTH ;

The same holds true for SET statements with reference semantics. SET statements which precede the FETCH and employ reference semantics for DATA, INDICATOR, or RETURNED_LENGTH must have the same array size as the FETCH:

int ref_data[20] ;
short ref_indi[20] ;
...
EXEC SQL FOR 20 SET DESCRIPTOR 'out' VALUE 1 REF DATA = :ref_data,
   REF INDICATOR = :ref_indi ;

Similarly, for a descriptor that is used for input, to insert a batch of rows, for instance, the EXECUTE or OPEN statement must use an array size equal to or less than the size used in the ALLOCATE statement. The SET statement, for both value and reference semantics, that accesses DATA, INDICATOR, or RETURNED_LENGTH must use the same array size as in the EXECUTE statement.

The FOR clause is never used on the DEALLOCATE or PREPARE statements.

The following code example illustrates a bulk operation with no output descriptor (there is no output, only input to be inserted into the table emp). The value of COUNT is 2 (there are two host variables, ename_arr and empno_arr, in the INSERT statement). The data array ename_arr holds three character strings: "Tom", "Dick" and "Harry", in that order. The indicator array ename_ind has a value of -1 for the second element; so a NULL will be inserted instead of "Dick". The data array empno_arr contains three employee numbers. A DML returning clause could be used to confirm the actual names inserted.

...
char* dyn_statement = "INSERT INTO emp (ename) VALUES (:ename_arr)" ;
char ename_arr[3][6] = {Tom","Dick","Harry"} ;
short ename_ind[3] = {0,-1,0} ;
int ename_len = 6, ename_type = 97, cnt = 2 ;
int empno_arr[3] = {8001, 8002, 8003} ;
int empno_len = 4 ;
int empno_type = 3 ;
int array_size = 3 ;
EXEC SQL FOR :array_size ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'in' ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'in' COUNT = :cnt ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'in' VALUE 1 TYPE = :ename_type, LENGTH = :ename_len ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'in' VALUE 2 TYPE = :empno_type, LENGTH = :empno_len ;
EXEC SQL FOR :array_size SET DESCRIPTOR 'in' VALUE 1
   DATA = :ename_arr, INDICATOR = :ename_ind ;
EXEC SQL FOR :array_size SET DESCRIPTOR 'in' VALUE 2
   DATA = :empno_arr ;
EXEC SQL PREPARE s FROM :dyn_statement ;
EXEC SQL FOR :array_size EXECUTE s USING DESCRIPTOR 'in' ;
...

The preceding code will insert these values:

EMPNO   ENAME
 8001   Tom
 8002   
 8003   Harry

14.3.3 Support for Arrays of Structs

You must set the HOST_STRIDE_LENGTH to the size of the struct, and the INDICATOR_STRIDE_LENGTH to the size of the indicator struct, and the RETURNED_LENGTH_STRIDE to the size of your returned length struct.

Arrays of structs are supported by ANSI dynamic SQL, but are not supported by the older Oracle dynamic SQL.

14.3.4 Support for Object Types

For the object types that you have defined yourself, use Oracle TYPE equal to 108. For an object type column, use a DESCRIBE statement to obtain USER_DEFINED_TYPE_VERSION, USER_DEFINED_TYPE_NAME, USER_DEFINED_TYPE_NAME_LENGTH, USER_DEFINED_TYPE_SCHEMA, and USER_DEFINED_TYPE_SCHEMA_LENGTH.

If you do not employ the DESCRIBE statement to retrieve these values, you have to set them yourself through the SET DESCRIPTOR statement.

14.5.1 ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR

Use this statement to allocate a SQL descriptor area. Supply a descriptor and the maximum number of occurrences of host bind items, and an array size. This statement is only for the ANSI dynamic SQL.

EXEC SQL [FOR [:]array_size] ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR [GLOBAL | LOCAL]
   {:desc_nam | string_literal} [WITH MAX occurrences] ;

array_size

This is in an optional clause (it is an Oracle extension) that supports array processing. It tells the precompiler that the descriptor is usable for array processing.

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

desc_nam

Descriptor name. Local descriptors must be unique in the module. A runtime error is generated if the descriptor has been allocated, but not deallocated, previously. A global descriptor must be unique for the application, or a runtime error results.

occurrences

The maximum number of host variables possible in the descriptor. It must be an integer constant between 0 and 64K, or an error is returned. Default is 100. The clause is optional. A precompiler error results if it does not conform to these rules.

EXEC SQL ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'SELDES' WITH MAX 50 ;

EXEC SQL FOR :batch ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :binddes WITH MAX 25 ;

14.5.2 DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR

Use this statement to deallocate a SQL descriptor area that has been previously allocated, to free memory. This statement is only used for the ANSI dynamic SQL.

EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR [GLOBAL | LOCAL] {:desc_nam | string_literal} ;

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

desc_nam

A runtime error results when a descriptor with the same name and scope has not been allocated, or has been allocated and deallocated already.

EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL 'SELDES' ;

EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR :binddes ;

14.5.3 GET DESCRIPTOR

Use to obtain information from a SQL descriptor area.

EXEC SQL [FOR [:]array_size] GET DESCRIPTOR [GLOBAL | LOCAL] 
   {:desc_nam | string_literal} 
   { :hv0  = COUNT | VALUE item_number 
      :hv1 = item_name1 [ {, :hvN = item_nameN}] } ;

array_size

The FOR array_size is an optional Oracle extension. array_size has to be equal to the field array_size in the FETCH statement.

COUNT

The total number of bind variables.

desc_nam

Descriptor name.

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

VALUE item_number

The position of the item in the SQL statement. item_number can be a variable or a constant. If item_number is greater than COUNT, the "no data found" condition is returned. item_number must be greater than 0.

hv1 .. hvN

These are host variables to which values are transferred.

item_name1 .. item_nameN

The descriptor item names corresponding to the host variables. The possible ANSI descriptor item names are:

The Oracle additional descriptor item names are:

Use the FOR clause in GET DESCRIPTOR statements which contain DATA, INDICATOR, and RETURNED_LENGTH items only.

The internal type is provided by the DESCRIBE OUTPUT statement. For both input and output, you must set the type to be the external type of your host variable.

TYPE is the ANSI SQL Datatype code. Use the negative value of the Oracle type code if the ANSI type is not in the table.

LENGTH contains the column length in characters for fields that have fixed-width National Character Sets. It is in bytes for other character columns. It is set in DESCRIBE OUTPUT.

RETURNED_LENGTH is the actual data length set by the FETCH statement. It is in bytes or characters as described for LENGTH. The fields OCTET_LENGTH and RETURNED_OCTET_LENGTH are the lengths in bytes.

NULLABLE = 1 means that the column can have NULLS; NULLABLE = 0 means it cannot.

CHARACTER_SET_NAME only has meaning for character columns. For other types, it is undefined. The DESCRIBE OUTPUT statement obtains the value.

DATA and INDICATOR are the data value and the indicator status for that column. If data = NULL, but the indicator was not requested, an error is generated at runtime ("DATA EXCEPTION, NULL VALUE, NO INDICATOR PARAMETER").

NATIONAL_CHARACTER = 2 if the column is an NCHAR or NVARCHAR2 column. If the column is a character (but not National Character) column, this item is set to 1. If a non-character column, this item becomes 0 after DESCRIBE OUTPUT is executed.

INTERNAL_LENGTH is for compatibility with Oracle dynamic Method 4. It has the same value as the length member of the Oracle SQL descriptor area.

The following three items are not returned by a DESCRIBE OUTPUT statement.

• HOST_STRIDE_LENGTH is the size of the struct of host variables.

• INDICATOR_STRIDE_LENGTH is the size of the struct of indicator variables.

• RETURNED_LENGTH_STRIDE is the size of the struct of returned-length variables

The following items apply only to object types when the precompiler option OBJECTS has been set to YES.

• USER_DEFINED_TYPE_VERSION contains the character representation of the type version.

• USER_DEFINED_TYPE_NAME is the character representation of the name of the type.

• USER_DEFINED_TYPE_NAME_LENGTH is the length of the type name in bytes.

• USER_DEFINED_TYPE_SCHEMA is the character representation of the schema name of the type.

• USER_DEFINED_TYPE_SCHEMA_LENGTH is the length in characters of the type's schema name.

EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR :binddes :n = COUNT ;

EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'SELDES' VALUE 1 :t = TYPE, :l = LENGTH ;

EXEC SQL FOR :batch GET DESCRIPTOR LOCAL 'SELDES'
   VALUE :sel_item_no :i = INDICATOR, :v = DATA ; 

14.5.4 SET DESCRIPTOR

Use this statement to set information in the descriptor area from host variables. The SET DESCRIPTOR statement supports only host variables for the item names.

EXEC SQL [FOR array_size] SET DESCRIPTOR [GLOBAL | LOCAL] 
   {:desc_nam | string_literal} {COUNT = :hv0 | 
   VALUE item_number
   [REF] item_name1 = :hv1 
   [{, [REF] item_nameN = :hvN}]} ;

array_size

This optional Oracle clause permits using arrays when setting the descriptor items DATA, INDICATOR, and RETURNED_LENGTH only. You cannot use other items in a SET DESCRIPTOR that contains the FOR clause. All host variable array sizes must match. Use the same array size for the SET statement that you use for the FETCH statement.

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

desc_nam

The descriptor name. It follows the rules in ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR.

COUNT

The number of bind (input) or define (output) variables.

VALUE item_number

Position in the dynamic SQL statement of a host variable.

hv1 .. hvN

The host variables (not constants) that you set.

item_nameI

In a similar way to the GET DESCRIPTOR syntax desc_item_name can take on these values.

The Oracle extensions to the descriptor item names are:

Reference semantics is another optional Oracle extension that speeds performance. Use the keyword REF before these descriptor items names only: DATA, INDICATOR, RETURNED_LENGTH. When you use the REF keyword you do not need to use a GET statement. Complex data types (object and collection types, arrays of structs, and the DML returning clause) all require the REF form of SET DESCRIPTOR.

When REF is used the associated host variable itself is used in the SET. The GET is not needed in this case. The RETURNED_LENGTH can only be set when you use the REF semantics, not the value semantics.

Use the same array size for the SET or GET statements that you use in the FETCH.

Set the NATIONAL_CHAR field to 2 for NCHAR host input values.

When setting an object type's characteristics, you must set USER_DEFINED_TYPE_NAME and USER_DEFINED_TYPE_NAME_LENGTH.

If omitted, USER_DEFINED_TYPE_SCHEMA and USER_DEFINED_TYPE_SCHEMA_LENGTH default to the current connection.

Set CHARACTER_SET_NAME to UTF16 for client-side Unicode support.

int bindno = 2 ;
short indi = -1 ;
char data = "ignore" ;
int batch = 1 ;

EXEC SQL FOR :batch ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'binddes' ;
EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :binddes COUNT = 3 ;
EXEC SQL FOR :batch SET DESCRIPTOR :bindes
   VALUE :bindno INDICATOR = :indi, DATA = :data ;
...

14.5.5 Use of PREPARE

The PREPARE statement used in this method is the same as the PREPARE statement used in the other dynamic SQL methods. An Oracle extension allows a quoted string for the SQL statement, as well as a variable.

EXEC SQL PREPARE statement_id FROM :sql_statement ;

statement_id

This must not be declared; it is a undeclared SQL identifier.

sql_statement

A character string (a constant or a variable) holding the embedded SQL statement.

char* statement = "SELECT ENAME FROM emp WHERE deptno = :d" ;
EXEC SQL PREPARE S1 FROM :statement ;

14.5.6 DESCRIBE INPUT

This statement returns information about the bind variables.

EXEC SQL DESCRIBE INPUT statement_id USING [SQL] DESCRIPTOR 
   [GLOBAL | LOCAL] {:desc_nam | string_literal} ;

statement_id

The same as used in PREPARE and DESCRIBE OUTPUT. This must not be declared; it is an undeclared SQL identifier.

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

desc_nam

The descriptor name.

DESCRIBE INPUT only sets COUNT and NAME items.

EXEC SQL DESCRIBE INPUT S1 USING SQL DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :binddes ;
EXEC SQL DESCRIBE INPUT S2 USING DESCRIPTOR 'input' ;

14.5.7 DESCRIBE OUTPUT

Use this statement to obtain information about the output columns in a PREPAREd statement. The ANSI syntax differs from the older Oracle syntax. The information which is stored in the SQL descriptor area is the number of values returned and associated information such as type, length, and name.

EXEC SQL DESCRIBE [OUTPUT] statement_id USING [SQL] DESCRIPTOR
   [GLOBAL | LOCAL] {:desc_nam | string_literal} ;

statement_id

The same as used in PREPARE. This must not be declared; it is an undeclared SQL identifier.

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

desc_nam

The descriptor name.

OUTPUT is the default and can be omitted.

char* desname = "SELDES" ;
EXEC SQL DESCRIBE S1 USING SQL DESCRIPTOR 'SELDES' ; /* Or, */
EXEC SQL DESCRIBE OUTPUT S1 USING DESCRIPTOR :desname ;

14.5.8 EXECUTE

EXECUTE matches input and output variables in a prepared SQL statement and then executes the statement. This ANSI version of EXECUTE differs from the older EXECUTE statement by allowing two descriptors in one statement to support DML returning clause.

EXEC SQL [FOR :array_size] EXECUTE statement_id 
    [USING [SQL] DESCRIPTOR [GLOBAL | LOCAL] {:desc_nam | string_literal}] 
        [INTO [SQL] DESCRIPTOR [GLOBAL | LOCAL] {:desc_nam | string_literal}] ;

array_size

The number of rows the statement will process.

statement_id

The same as used in PREPARE. This must not be declared; it is an undeclared SQL identifier. It can be a literal.

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

desc_nam

The descriptor name.

The INTO clause implements the DML returning clause for INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE.

EXEC SQL EXECUTE S1 USING SQL DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :binddes ;

EXEC SQL EXECUTE S2 USING DESCRIPTOR :bv1 INTO DESCRIPTOR 'SELDES' ;

14.5.9 Use of EXECUTE IMMEDIATE

Executes a literal or host variable character string containing the SQL statement.The ANSI SQL form of this statement is the same as in the older Oracle dynamic SQL:

EXEC SQL EXECUTE IMMEDIATE {:sql_statement | string_literal}

sql_statement

The SQL statement or PL/SQL block in a character string.

EXEC SQL EXECUTE IMMEDIATE :statement ;

14.5.10 Use of DYNAMIC DECLARE CURSOR

Declares a cursor that is associated with a statement which is a query. This is a form of the generic Declare Cursor statement.

EXEC SQL DECLARE cursor_name CURSOR FOR statement_id;

cursor_name

A cursor variable (a SQL identifier, not a host variable).

statement_id

An undeclared SQL identifier.

EXEC SQL DECLARE C1 CURSOR FOR S1 ; 

14.5.11 OPEN Cursor

The OPEN statement associates input parameters with a cursor and then opens the cursor.

EXEC SQL [FOR :array_size] OPEN dyn_cursor 
    [[USING [SQL] DESCRIPTOR [GLOBAL | LOCAL] {:desc_nam1 | string_literal}]
    [INTO [SQL] DESCRIPTOR [GLOBAL | LOCAL] {:desc_nam2 | string_literal}]] ;

array_size

This limit is less than or equal to number specified when the descriptor was allocated.

dyn_cursor

The cursor variable.

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

desc_nam

The descriptor name.

If the prepared statement associated with the cursor contains colons or question marks, a USING clause must be specified, or an error results at runtime. The DML returning clause is supported.

EXEC SQL OPEN C1 USING SQL DESCRIPTOR :binddes ;

EXEC SQL FOR :limit OPEN C2 USING DESCRIPTOR :b1, :b2 
   INTO SQL DESCRIPTOR :seldes ;

14.5.12 FETCH

Fetches a row for a cursor declared with a dynamic DECLARE statement.

EXEC SQL [FOR :array_size] FETCH cursor INTO [SQL] DESCRIPTOR 
   [GLOBAL | LOCAL] {:desc_nam | string_literal} ;

array_size

The number of rows the statement will process.

cursor

The dynamic cursor that was previously declared.

GLOBAL | LOCAL

The optional scope clause defaults to LOCAL if not entered. A local descriptor can be accessed only in the file in which it is allocated. A global descriptor can be used in any module in the compilation unit.

desc_nam

Descriptor name.

The optional array_size in the FOR clause must be less than or equal to the number specified in the ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR statement.

EXEC SQL FETCH FROM C1 INTO DESCRIPTOR 'SELDES' ;

EXEC SQL FOR :arsz FETCH C2 INTO DESCRIPTOR :desc ;

14.5.13 CLOSE a Dynamic Cursor

Closes a dynamic cursor. Syntax has not changed from the older Oracle Method 4:

EXEC SQL CLOSE cursor ;

cursor

The dynamic cursor that was previously declared.

EXEC SQL CLOSE C1 ;

14.5.14 Differences From Oracle Dynamic Method 4

The ANSI dynamic SQL interface supports all the datatypes supported by the Oracle dynamic Method 4, with these additions:

• All datatypes, including object types, result sets, and LOB types are supported by ANSI Dynamic SQL.

• The ANSI mode uses an internal SQL descriptor area which is an expansion of the external SQLDA used in Oracle older dynamic Method 4 to store its input and output information.

• New embedded SQL statements are introduced: ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR, DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR, DESCRIBE, GET DESCRIPTOR, and SET DESCRIPTOR.

• The DESCRIBE statement does not return the names of indicator variables in ANSI Dynamic SQL.

• ANSI Dynamic SQL does not allow you to specify the maximum size of the returned column name or expression. The default size is set at 128.

• The descriptor name must be either an identifier in single-quotes or a host variable preceded by a colon.

• For output, the optional SELECT LIST FOR clause in the DESCRIBE is replaced by the optional keyword OUTPUT. The INTO clause is replaced by the USING DESCRIPTOR clause, which can contain the optional keyword SQL.

• For input, the optional BIND VARIABLES FOR clause of the DESCRIBE can be replaced by the keyword INPUT. The INTO clause is replaced by the USING DESCRIPTOR clause, which can contain the optional keyword SQL.

• The optional keyword SQL can come before the keyword DESCRIPTOR in the USING clause of the EXECUTE, FETCH and OPEN statements.

14.5.15 Restrictions

Restrictions in effect on ANSI dynamic SQL are:

• You cannot mix ANSI and Oracle dynamic SQL methods in the same module.

• The precompiler option DYNAMIC must be set to ANSI. The precompiler option TYPE_CODE can be set to ANSI only if DYNAMIC is set to ANSI.

• The SET statement supports only host variables as item names.

14.6.1 ansidyn1.pc

This program demonstrates using ANSI Dynamic SQL to process SQL statements which are not known until runtime. It is intended to demonstrate the simplest (though not the most efficient) approach to using ANSI Dynamic SQL. It uses ANSI compatible value semantics and ANSI type codes. ANSI SQLSTATE is used for error numbers. Descriptor names are literals. All input and output is through ANSI varying character type.

The program connects you to ORACLE using your username and password, then prompts you for a SQL statement. Enter legal SQL or PL/SQL statements using regular, not embedded, SQL syntax and terminate each statement with a semicolon. Your statement will be processed. If it is a query, the fetched rows are displayed.

You can enter multiline statements. The limit is 1023 characters. There is a limit on the size of the variables, MAX_VAR_LEN, defined as 255. This program processes up to 40 bind variables and 40 select-list items. DML returning clauses and user defined types are not supported with value semantics.

Precompile the program with mode = ansi, for example:

proc mode=ansi ansidyn1

Using mode=ansi will set dynamic and type_code to ansi.

/*******************************************************************
ANSI Dynamic Demo 1:  ANSI Dynamic SQL with value semantics,
                                   literal descriptor names
                                   and ANSI type codes

This program demonstates using ANSI Dynamic SQL to process SQL
statements which are not known until runtime.  It is intended to
demonstrate the simplest (though not the most efficient) approach
to using ANSI Dynamic SQL.  It uses ANSI compatible value semantics
and ANSI type codes. ANSI Sqlstate is used for error numbers. 
Descriptor names are literals. All input and output is through ANSI the
varying character type.

The program connects you to ORACLE using your username and password,
then prompts you for a SQL statement.  Enter legal SQL or PL/SQL 
statements using regular, not embedded, SQL syntax and terminate each 
statement with a seimcolon.  Your statement will be processed.  If it
is a query, the fetched rows are displayed.  

You can enter multiline statements.  The limit is 1023 characters.
There is a limit on the size of the variables, MAX_VAR_LEN, defined as 255.
This program processes up to 40 bind variables and 40 select-list items.
DML returning statments and user defined types are not supported with 
value semantics.

Precompile the program with mode=ansi, for example:
 
proc mode=ansi ansidyn1

Using mode=ansi will set dynamic and type_code to ansi.

*******************************************************************/

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <setjmp.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <sqlcpr.h>

#define MAX_OCCURENCES 40
#define MAX_VAR_LEN    255
#define MAX_NAME_LEN   31

#ifndef NULL
#define NULL  0
#endif


/* Prototypes */
#if defined(__STDC__)
  void sql_error(void);
  int oracle_connect(void);
  int get_dyn_statement(void);
  int process_input(void);
  int process_output(void);
  void help(void);
#else
  void sql_error(/*_ void _*/);
  int oracle_connect(/*_ void _*/);
  int get_dyn_statement(/* void _*/);
  int process_input(/*_ void _*/);
  int process_output(/*_ void _*/);
  void help(/*_ void _*/);
#endif

EXEC SQL INCLUDE sqlca;

char SQLSTATE[6];

/* global variables */
EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTION;
 char    dyn_statement[1024];
 char SQLSTATE[6];
EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTION;




/* Define a buffer to hold longjmp state info. */
jmp_buf jmp_continue;

/* A global flag for the error routine. */
int parse_flag = 0;
/* A global flag to indicate statement is a select */
int select_found;   

void main()
{

    /* Connect to the database. */
    if (oracle_connect() != 0)
        exit(1);

    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR DO sql_error();

    /* Allocate the input and output descriptors. */
    EXEC SQL ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'input_descriptor';
    EXEC SQL ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'output_descriptor';

    /* Process SQL statements. */
    for (;;) 
    {
        (void) setjmp(jmp_continue);

        /* Get the statement.  Break on "exit". */
        if (get_dyn_statement() != 0)
            break;

        /* Prepare the statement and declare a cursor. */
        parse_flag = 1;     /* Set a flag for sql_error(). */
        EXEC SQL PREPARE S FROM :dyn_statement;
        parse_flag = 0;     /* Unset the flag. */

        EXEC SQL DECLARE C CURSOR FOR S;

        /* Call the function that processes the input. */
        if (process_input())
            exit(1);
 
        /* Open the cursor and execute the statement. */
        EXEC SQL OPEN C USING DESCRIPTOR 'input_descriptor';

        /* Call the function that processes the output. */
        if (process_output())
            exit(1);

        /* Close the cursor. */
        EXEC SQL CLOSE C;

    }   /* end of for(;;) statement-processing loop */


    /* Deallocate the descriptors */
    EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'input_descriptor';
    EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR 'output_descriptor';

    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR CONTINUE;
    EXEC SQL COMMIT WORK;
    puts("\nHave a good day!\n");

    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR DO sql_error();
    return;
}



int get_dyn_statement()
{
    char *cp, linebuf[256];
    int iter, plsql;

    for (plsql = 0, iter = 1; ;)
    {
        if (iter == 1)
        {
            printf("\nSQL> ");
            dyn_statement[0] = '\0';
            select_found = 0;
        }
        
        fgets(linebuf, sizeof linebuf, stdin);

        cp = strrchr(linebuf, '\n');
        if (cp && cp != linebuf)
            *cp = ' ';
        else if (cp == linebuf)
            continue;

        if ((strncmp(linebuf, "SELECT", 6) == 0) ||
            (strncmp(linebuf, "select", 6) == 0))
        {
            select_found=1;;
        }

        if ((strncmp(linebuf, "EXIT", 4) == 0) ||
            (strncmp(linebuf, "exit", 4) == 0))
        {
            return -1;
        }

        else if (linebuf[0] == '?' ||
            (strncmp(linebuf, "HELP", 4) == 0) ||
            (strncmp(linebuf, "help", 4) == 0))
        {
            help();
            iter = 1;
            continue;
        }

        if (strstr(linebuf, "BEGIN") ||
            (strstr(linebuf, "begin")))
        {
            plsql = 1;
        }

        strcat(dyn_statement, linebuf);

        if ((plsql && (cp = strrchr(dyn_statement, '/'))) ||
            (!plsql && (cp = strrchr(dyn_statement, ';'))))
        {
            *cp = '\0';
            break;
        }
        else
        {
            iter++;
            printf("%3d  ", iter);
        }
    }
    return 0;
}


int process_input()
{
    int i;
    EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTION;
      char name[31];
      int  input_count, input_len, occurs, ANSI_varchar_type;
      char input_buf[MAX_VAR_LEN];
    EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTION;

    EXEC SQL DESCRIBE INPUT S USING DESCRIPTOR 'input_descriptor';
    EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'input_descriptor' :input_count = COUNT; 
       
    ANSI_varchar_type=12;
    for (i=0; i < input_count; i++)
    {
        occurs = i +1;                       /* occurence is 1 based */
        EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'input_descriptor' 
                 VALUE :occurs :name = NAME;
        printf ("\nEnter value for input variable %*.*s:  ", 10,31, name);
        fgets(input_buf, sizeof(input_buf), stdin);
        input_len = strlen(input_buf) - 1;  /* get rid of new line */
        input_buf[input_len] = '\0';        /* null terminate */
        EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'input_descriptor'
                 VALUE :occurs TYPE = :ANSI_varchar_type, 
                               LENGTH = :input_len,
                               DATA = :input_buf;
    }
    return(sqlca.sqlcode);
}


int process_output()
{
   int i, j;
   EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTION;
     int output_count, occurs, type, len, col_len;
     short indi;
     char data[MAX_VAR_LEN], name[MAX_NAME_LEN];
   EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTION;
   if (!select_found)
       return(0);   

   EXEC SQL DESCRIBE OUTPUT S USING DESCRIPTOR 'output_descriptor';
   
   EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'output_descriptor' :output_count = COUNT;


   printf ("\n");
   type = 12;            /* ANSI VARYING character type */
   len = MAX_VAR_LEN;    /* use the max allocated length */
   for (i = 0; i < output_count; i++)
    {
        occurs = i + 1;
        EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'output_descriptor' VALUE :occurs
                 :name = NAME;
        printf("%-*.*s ", 9,9, name);
        EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR 'output_descriptor' VALUE :occurs 
                 TYPE = :type, LENGTH = :len;
    }   
    printf("\n");

    /* FETCH each row selected and print the column values. */
    EXEC SQL WHENEVER NOT FOUND GOTO end_select_loop;

    for (;;)
    {
        EXEC SQL FETCH C INTO DESCRIPTOR 'output_descriptor';
        for (i=0; i < output_count; i++)
          {
            occurs = i + 1;
            EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR 'output_descriptor' VALUE :occurs
                 :data = DATA, :indi = INDICATOR;
            if (indi == -1)       
              printf("%-*.*s ", 9,9, "NULL");
            else
              printf("%-*.*s ", 9,9, data);  /* simplified output formatting */ 
                          /* truncation will occur, but columns will line up */
          }                             
         printf ("\n");
    }
end_select_loop:
    return(0);
}



void help()
{
    puts("\n\nEnter a SQL statement or a PL/SQL block at the SQL> prompt.");
    puts("Statements can be continued over several lines, except");
    puts("within string literals.");
    puts("Terminate a SQL statement with a semicolon.");
    puts("Terminate a PL/SQL block (which can contain embedded semicolons)");
    puts("with a slash (/).");
    puts("Typing \"exit\" (no semicolon needed) exits the program.");
    puts("You typed \"?\" or \"help\" to get this message.\n\n");
}


void sql_error()
{
    /* ORACLE error handler */
    printf("\n\nANSI sqlstate: %s: ", SQLSTATE);
    printf ("\n\n%.70s\n",sqlca.sqlerrm.sqlerrmc);
    if (parse_flag)
        printf
        ("Parse error at character offset %d in SQL statement.\n",
           sqlca.sqlerrd[4]);

    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR CONTINUE;
    EXEC SQL ROLLBACK WORK;
    longjmp(jmp_continue, 1);
}


int oracle_connect()
{
    EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTION;
        VARCHAR  username[128];
        VARCHAR  password[32];
    EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTION;

    printf("\nusername: ");
    fgets((char *) username.arr, sizeof username.arr, stdin);
    username.arr[strlen((char *) username.arr)-1] = '\0';
    username.len = (unsigned short)strlen((char *) username.arr);

    printf("password: ");
    fgets((char *) password.arr, sizeof password.arr, stdin);
    password.arr[strlen((char *) password.arr) - 1] = '\0';
    password.len = (unsigned short)strlen((char *) password.arr);


    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR GOTO connect_error;

    EXEC SQL CONNECT :username IDENTIFIED BY :password;

    printf("\nConnected to ORACLE as user %s.\n", username.arr);

    return 0;

connect_error:
    fprintf(stderr, "Cannot connect to ORACLE as user %s\n", username.arr);
    return -1;
}

14.6.2 ansidyn2.pc

This program demonstrates using ANSI Dynamic SQL to process SQL statements which are not known until runtime. It uses the Oracle extensions for batch processing and reference semantics.

The program connects you to ORACLE using your username and password, then prompts you for a SQL statement. Enter legal SQL or PL/SQL statement using interactive, not embedded, SQL syntax, terminating the statement with a semicolon. Your statement will be processed. If it is a query, the fetched rows are displayed.

You can enter multiline statements. The limit is 1023 characters. There is a limit on the size of the variables, MAX_VAR_LEN, defined as 255. This program processes up to 40 bind variables and 40 select-list items.

Precompile the program with dynamic = ansi, for example:

proc dynamic=ansi ansidyn2

/*******************************************************************
ANSI Dynamic Demo 2:  ANSI Dynamic SQL with reference semantics,
                           batch processing and global descriptor
                           names in host variables
                           
This program demonstates using ANSI Dynamic SQL to process SQL
statements which are not known until runtime.  It uses the Oracle
extensions for batch processing and reference semantics.

The program connects you to ORACLE using your username and password,
then prompts you for a SQL statement.  Enter legal SQL or PL/SQL 
statement using interactive, not embedded, SQL syntax, terminating the 
statement with a seimcolon.  Your statement will be processed.  If it
is a query, the fetched rows are displayed. 

If your statement has input bind variables (other than in a where clause),
the program will ask for an input array size and then allow you to enter 
that number of input values. If your statment has output, the program will
ask you for an output array size and will do array fetchng using that value.
It will also output the rows fetched in one batch together, so using a small
value for the output array size will improve the look of the output.  
For example, connected as scott/tiger, try select empno, ename from emp
with an output array size of 4;

You can enter multiline statements.  The limit is 1023 characters.
There is a limit on the size of the variables, MAX_VAR_LEN, defined as 255.
This program processes up to 40 bind variables and 40 select-list items.

Precompile with program with dynamic=ansi, for example:
 
proc dynamic=ansi ansidyn2

*******************************************************************/

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <setjmp.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <sqlcpr.h>


#define MAX_OCCURENCES  40
#define MAX_ARRSZ      100
#define MAX_VAR_LEN    255
#define MAX_NAME_LEN    31

#ifndef NULL
#define NULL  0
#endif


/* Prototypes */
#if defined(__STDC__)
  void sql_error(void);
  int oracle_connect(void);
  int get_dyn_statement(void);
  int process_input(void);
  int process_output(void);
  void rows_processed(void);
  void help(void);
#else
  void sql_error(/*_ void _*/);
  int oracle_connect(/*_ void _*/);
  int get_dyn_statement(/* void _*/);
  int process_input(/*_ void _*/);
  int process_output(/*_ void _*/);
  void rows_processed(/*_ void _*/);
  void help(/*_ void _*/);
#endif

EXEC SQL INCLUDE sqlca;

/* global variables */
char    dyn_statement[1024];                      /* statement variable     */
EXEC SQL VAR dyn_statement IS STRING(1024);

char  indesc[]="input_descriptor";                /* descriptor names       */
char outdesc[]="output_descriptor";
char   input[MAX_OCCURENCES][MAX_ARRSZ][MAX_VAR_LEN +1 ],    /* data areas */
      output[MAX_OCCURENCES][MAX_ARRSZ][MAX_VAR_LEN + 1];

short outindi[MAX_OCCURENCES][MAX_ARRSZ];        /* output indicators      */
short *iptr;

int   in_array_size;     /* size of input batch, i.e., number of rows */
int   out_array_size;    /* size of input batch, i.e., number of rows */
int   max_array_size=MAX_ARRSZ;   /* maximum arrays size used for allocates */

char *dml_commands[] = {"SELECT", "select", "INSERT", "insert",
                        "UPDATE", "update", "DELETE", "delete"};

int select_found, cursor_open = 0;

/* Define a buffer to hold longjmp state info. */
jmp_buf jmp_continue;

/* A global flag for the error routine. */
int parse_flag = 0;

void main()
{

    /* Connect to the database. */
    if (oracle_connect() != 0)
        exit(1);

    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR DO sql_error();

    /* Allocate the input and output descriptors. */
    EXEC SQL FOR :max_array_size
             ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :indesc;
    EXEC SQL FOR :max_array_size
             ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :outdesc;

    /* Process SQL statements. */
    for (;;) 
    {
        (void) setjmp(jmp_continue);

        /* Get the statement.  Break on "exit". */
        if (get_dyn_statement() != 0)
            break;

        /* Prepare the statement and declare a cursor. */
        parse_flag = 1;     /* Set a flag for sql_error(). */
        EXEC SQL PREPARE S FROM :dyn_statement;
        parse_flag = 0;     /* Unset the flag. */

        EXEC SQL DECLARE C CURSOR FOR S;

        /* Call the function that processes the input. */
        if (process_input())
            exit(1);

        /* Open the cursor and execute the statement. */
        EXEC SQL FOR :in_array_size
            OPEN C USING DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :indesc;
        cursor_open = 1;
 
        /* Call the function that processes the output. */
        if (process_output())
            exit(1);

        /* Tell user how many rows were processed. */
        rows_processed();

    }   /* end of for(;;) statement-processing loop */

 
    /* Close the cursor. */
    if (cursor_open)
      EXEC SQL CLOSE C;

    /* Deallocate the descriptors */
    EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :indesc;
    EXEC SQL DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :outdesc;

    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR CONTINUE;
    EXEC SQL COMMIT WORK RELEASE;
    puts("\nHave a good day!\n");

    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR DO sql_error();
    return;
}



int get_dyn_statement()
{
    char *cp, linebuf[256];
    int iter, plsql;

    for (plsql = 0, iter = 1; ;)
    {
        if (iter == 1)
        {
            printf("\nSQL> ");
            dyn_statement[0] = '\0';
            select_found = 0;
        }
        
        fgets(linebuf, sizeof linebuf, stdin);

        cp = strrchr(linebuf, '\n');
        if (cp && cp != linebuf)
            *cp = ' ';
        else if (cp == linebuf)
            continue;

        if ((strncmp(linebuf, "SELECT", 6) == 0) ||
            (strncmp(linebuf, "select", 6) == 0))
        {
            select_found=1;;
        }

        if ((strncmp(linebuf, "EXIT", 4) == 0) ||
            (strncmp(linebuf, "exit", 4) == 0))
        {
            return -1;
        }

        else if (linebuf[0] == '?' ||
            (strncmp(linebuf, "HELP", 4) == 0) ||
            (strncmp(linebuf, "help", 4) == 0))
        {
            help();
            iter = 1;
            continue;
        }

        if (strstr(linebuf, "BEGIN") ||
            (strstr(linebuf, "begin")))
        {
            plsql = 1;
        }

        strcat(dyn_statement, linebuf);

        if ((plsql && (cp = strrchr(dyn_statement, '/'))) ||
            (!plsql && (cp = strrchr(dyn_statement, ';'))))
        {
            *cp = '\0';
            break;
        }
        else
        {
            iter++;
            printf("%3d  ", iter);
        }
    }
    return 0;
}


int process_input()
{
    int i, j;
    char name[31];
    int  input_count, input_len= MAX_VAR_LEN;
    int  occurs, string_type = 5;
    int  string_len;
    char arr_size[3];

    EXEC SQL DESCRIBE INPUT S USING DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :indesc;
    EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :indesc :input_count = COUNT; 

    if (input_count > 0 && !select_found )
       {     /* get input array size */
          printf ("\nEnter value for input array size (max is %d) :  ", 
                           max_array_size);
        fgets(arr_size, 4, stdin);
        in_array_size = atoi(arr_size); 
       }
    else
       { 
         in_array_size = 1;
       }
    for (i=0; i < input_count; i++)
    {
        occurs = i +1;                       /* occurence is 1 based */
        EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :indesc 
                 VALUE :occurs :name = NAME;

        for (j=0; j < in_array_size; j++)
        {
          if (in_array_size == 1)
            printf ("\nEnter value for input variable %*.*s:  ",10,31, name);
          else 
            printf ("\nEnter %d%s value for input variable %*.*s:  ",
               j +1, ((j==0) ?  "st" :  (j==1) ? "nd" : (j==2) ? "rd" :"th"),
                      10,31, name);
          fgets(input[i][j], sizeof(input[i][j]), stdin);
          string_len = strlen(input[i][j]);
          input[i][j][string_len - 1 ] = '\0';   /* change \n to \0 */
        }
        EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :indesc
                 VALUE :occurs TYPE = :string_type, LENGTH = :input_len;
        EXEC SQL FOR :in_array_size
                 SET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :indesc
                     VALUE :occurs  REF DATA = :input[i];
    }

    return(sqlca.sqlcode);
}


int process_output()
{
   int i, j;
   int output_count, occurs;
   int type, output_len= MAX_VAR_LEN;
   char name[MAX_OCCURENCES][MAX_NAME_LEN];
   int rows_this_fetch=0, cumulative_rows=0;
   char arr_size[3];
   if (!select_found)
      return(0);   
   EXEC SQL DESCRIBE OUTPUT S USING DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :outdesc;
   
   EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :outdesc :output_count = COUNT;
  
   if (output_count > 0 )
      {
        printf ("\nEnter value for output array size (max is %d) :  ", 
                       max_array_size);
        fgets(arr_size, 4, stdin);
        out_array_size = atoi(arr_size); 
      }
   if (out_array_size < 1)    /* must have at least one */
       out_array_size = 1;

   printf ("\n");
   
   for (i = 0; i < output_count; i++)
   {
      occurs = i + 1;
      EXEC SQL GET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :outdesc VALUE :occurs
               :type = TYPE, :name[i] = NAME;
      occurs = i + 1;                         /* occurence is one based */
      type = 5;  /* force all data to be null terminated character */
      EXEC SQL SET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :outdesc VALUE :occurs 
               TYPE = :type, LENGTH = :output_len;
   
      iptr = (short *)&outindi[i]; /* no mult-dimension non-char host vars */
      EXEC SQL FOR :out_array_size
               SET DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :outdesc VALUE :occurs 
               REF DATA = :output[i], REF INDICATOR = :iptr;
   }   
   
   
   
   EXEC SQL WHENEVER NOT FOUND GOTO end_select_loop;
   
   /* print the column headings */
   for (j=0; j < out_array_size; j++)
      for (i=0; i < output_count; i++)
         printf("%-*.*s ", 9,9, name[i]);
   printf("\n");
   
   /* FETCH each row selected and print the column values. */
   for (;;)
   {
      EXEC SQL FOR :out_array_size 
              FETCH C INTO DESCRIPTOR GLOBAL :outdesc;
      rows_this_fetch = sqlca.sqlerrd[2] - cumulative_rows;
      cumulative_rows = sqlca.sqlerrd[2];
      if (rows_this_fetch)
      for (j=0; j < out_array_size && j < rows_this_fetch; j++)
      {           /* output by columns using simplified formatting */
         for (i=0; i < output_count; i++)
           {                              
                if (outindi[i][j] == -1)       
                   printf("%-*.*s ", 9, 9, "NULL");
               else
                  printf("%-*.*s ", 9, 9, output[i][j]);  /* simplified */
                              /* output formatting may cause truncation */
                              /* but columns will line up */
           } 
      }
       printf ("\n");
   }

end_select_loop:
   /* print any unprinted rows */
   rows_this_fetch = sqlca.sqlerrd[2] - cumulative_rows;
   cumulative_rows = sqlca.sqlerrd[2];
   if (rows_this_fetch)
     for (j=0; j < out_array_size && j < rows_this_fetch; j++)
       {           /* output by columns using simplified formatting */
         for (i=0; i < output_count; i++)
           {                              
              if (outindi[i][j] == -1)       
                   printf("%-*.*s ",9, 9, "NULL");
               else
                  printf("%-*.*s ", 9, 9, output[i][j]); 
            } 
        }
   return(0);
}

void rows_processed()
{  
   int i;
   for (i = 0; i < 8; i++)
     {
       if (strncmp(dyn_statement, dml_commands[i], 6) == 0)
         {
            printf("\n\n%d row%c processed.\n", sqlca.sqlerrd[2],
                       sqlca.sqlerrd[2] == 1 ? ' ' : 's');
            break;
         }
     }
   return;
}


void help()
{
    puts("\n\nEnter a SQL statement or a PL/SQL block at the SQL> prompt.");
    puts("Statements can be continued over several lines, except");
    puts("within string literals.");
    puts("Terminate a SQL statement with a semicolon.");
    puts("Terminate a PL/SQL block (which can contain embedded semicolons)");
    puts("with a slash (/).");
    puts("Typing \"exit\" (no semicolon needed) exits the program.");
    puts("You typed \"?\" or \"help\" to get this message.\n\n");
}


void sql_error()
{
    /* ORACLE error handler */
    printf ("\n\n%.70s\n",sqlca.sqlerrm.sqlerrmc);
    if (parse_flag)
        printf
        ("Parse error at character offset %d in SQL statement.\n",
           sqlca.sqlerrd[4]);

    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR CONTINUE;
    EXEC SQL ROLLBACK WORK;
    longjmp(jmp_continue, 1);
}


int oracle_connect()
{
    EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTION;
        VARCHAR  username[128];
        VARCHAR  password[32];
    EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTION;

    printf("\nusername: ");
    fgets((char *) username.arr, sizeof username.arr, stdin);
    username.arr[strlen((char *) username.arr)-1] = '\0';
    username.len = (unsigned short)strlen((char *) username.arr);

    printf("password: ");
    fgets((char *) password.arr, sizeof password.arr, stdin);
    password.arr[strlen((char *) password.arr) - 1] = '\0';
    password.len = (unsigned short)strlen((char *) password.arr);


    EXEC SQL WHENEVER SQLERROR GOTO connect_error;

    EXEC SQL CONNECT :username IDENTIFIED BY :password;

    printf("\nConnected to ORACLE as user %s.\n", username.arr);

    return 0;

connect_error:
    fprintf(stderr, "Cannot connect to ORACLE as user %s\n", username.arr);
    return -1;
}