pepmallorca wrote:

>I can use the DB_KEY in stored procedures defining the variable of
>the type CHAR(8), but if I don't want to use it in a stored
>procedure, and select it with a cursor from Delphi, and then use it
>for do an UPDATE, for example with IBDSQL, what kind of datatype I
>have to use?
>
>types: String doesn't works, varchar(8) doesn't works
>
>If I use from the program IBSQL, for example, with:
>
>select rdb$db_key from table:
>
>I see a number like:
>
>890000000D000000
>
>but If I write the next code:
>
>update table set field_x=999 where rdb$db_key='890000000D000000'
>
>it doesn't works, I suppose because the DB_KEY(8) type is not
>compatible with string.
>
>I get DB_KEY works only with stored procedures.
>
>
>
>A lot of problems with DB_KEY, but I think it's a good thing to solve
>it, isn't it?
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>
>" I have seen some very interesting articles like: 'The mystery of
>rdb$db_key' but I don't find solution for the problems posted here "
>
>
>
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It seems off-topic, it should be refer to interbase rather than IBO
rdb$db_key should be 8 bit int, which is shown as hex.

Please refer to http://www.cvalde.com/doucment/mysteriousDbKeyI.htm for
an excellent explaination. Any FB/IB users should read these.