declare variable bc char(3);
begin
select orderappend from branches
into :bc;
if( substr( new.link, 1, 3) != :bc) then
begin
...

declare variable bc char(3);
begin
select orderappend from branches
into :bc;
if( substr( new.link, 1, 3) != bc) then
begin
...

Both compiles, but what is the difference, if any, between using a colon or
not?

TIA
Gary