Sometimes when SQL statements are assembled dynamically during execution of a UAP, the number and attributes of the I/O variables (data exchange areas) necessary for executing the SQL statements can be determined only when the UAP is executed. Therefore, HiRDB requires an area in which I/O variables are determined dynamically during UAP execution. The information in the area (the number, attributes, and I/O variable addresses) is posted to HiRDB via the OPEN, FETCH, or EXECUTE statement. The area is called the SQL Descriptor Area. The area can also be used by the DESCRIBE statement to receive information on SQL retrieval items that were preprocessed for dynamic execution.

For details about the UAP description languages that can use the SQL Descriptor Area, see 3.2 Overview of UAPs.

Organization of this section

B.1 Organization and contents of the SQL Descriptor Area

B.2 Expanding the SQL Descriptor Area