Once the SQLDA definition has been included (or hard coded), the program can declare an SQLDA variable. You must declare this variable outside a declare section, because the preprocessor does not understand the special meaning of the SQLDA. When you use the variable, the preprocessor accepts any object name and assumes that the variable points at a legal SQLDA. The actual SQLDA area must be either dynamically allocated or statically declared and pointed at by the variable.