(execute statement f9 handles substitution variables '&' the same , but prompts for bind variables ':' in select update delete... (but not anonymous blocks))
Input
undefine a_value
undefine fred
--Substitution variables ie &...
--prompt if not known and set
prompt &&a_value
--set a value explicitly
define new_value = fred
prompt &fred
--Bind variables ie :...
variable my_bind varchar2
begin
:my_bind := 'value';
end;
/
begin
null;
--(use :my_bind within an anonymous block);
end;
/
--or
print :my_bind
Output
> undefine a_value
> undefine fred
> --Substitution variables ie &...
> --prompt if not known and set
> prompt &&a_value
old:prompt &&a_value
new:prompt set_a_value
set_a_value
> --set a value explicitly
> define new_value = fred
> prompt &fred
old:prompt &fred
new:prompt set_fred
set_fred
> --Bind variables ie :...
> variable my_bind varchar2
> begin
:my_bind := 'value';
end;
anonymous block completed
> begin
null;
--(use :my_bind within an anonymous block);
end;
anonymous block completed
> --or
> print :my_bind
MY_BIND
-----
value
