sqlsvr wrote:

> Thanks for the response. I have a few more questions...
>
> Is the syntax "SELECT 'a' AS column1 from RDB$DATABASE" standard SQL? Does the ANSI standard have any specifications for selecting a "variable"?

The standard requires a data source in the FROM clause - in Oracle
you use a table called "dual" ... in Firebird, the system table
RDB$DATABASE is convenient to use because it always has exactly
one row.

> Regarding the last question, how would I "declare" this variable in the "query analyzer" in FlameRobin? (this is not a stored procedure, it is just a "query" that is executed from the "query analyzer")
> I tried the following but it did not work:
> DECLARE somevariable INT;
> SELECT somevariable FROM RDB$Database;
>

Sorry - not an expert in FlameRobin .... you might look here...

https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/flamerobin-devel


Cheers,

Ann