The DESCRIBE statement describes a prepared OpenSQL statement into a program descriptor (SQLDA) to allow the program to interact with the dynamic statement as though it was hard coded in the program. This statement is used primarily with dynamic SELECT statements.

The DESCRIBE statement has the following syntax:

For more information about the DESCRIBE statement, see The SQL Descriptor Area (SQLDA (see page The SQL Descriptor Area (SQLDA))), and Preparing and Describing the Select Statement (see page Preparing and Describing the Select Statement).