Using program variables in static SQL

Using program variables directly in static SQL statements gives a better understanding of the source code and requires less lines as when using SQL parameters in dynamic SQL statements.

MAIN
  DEFINE c_num INTEGER
  DEFINE c_name CHAR(10)
  DATABASE stock 
  SELECT cust_name INTO c_name FROM customer WHERE cust_num = c_num
END MAIN

If a database column name conflicts with a program variable, you can use the @ sign as the column prefix. The compiler will treat the identifier following the @ as a table column:

MAIN
  DEFINE cust_name CHAR(10)
  DEFINE cnt INTEGER
  DATABASE stock 
  SELECT COUNT(*) INTO cnt FROM customer WHERE @cust_name = cust_name 
END MAIN