You can use host variables to specify target_list expressions, including range variables, table names, column names, and numeric or character expressions. Host variables can be used to specify expressions in the where clause, or the complete where clause.

If a result column name is the same as the name of a host variable, you must dereference the column name by preceding it with a pound sign (#).

The EQUEL preprocessor does not validate the syntax of the with clause.

If repeat is specified, program variables which change each time the query is executed and which appear on the right hand side of an equals sign ( = ) must be preceded by the @ sign. Result variables must not be marked in this way. Variables (including @ variables) cannot be changed within a retrieve loop.