SQLRPGLE syntax for Exec sql from a varying length variable? - sql

Question

On IBMi (database is DB2 for i) in SQLRPGLE I have a program that builds a large SQL statement into a variable that I would like to run.
When I try to run it as a variable I receive a token error
Some background
Here is an example that works because it does not use a variable
Exec SQL
Create table MyLib/MyFile as(select * from XXLIB/XXFILE)
DATA INITIALLY DEFERRED REFRESH DEFERRED
maintained by user;
When I save this in a variable like #SQLStm and then try to execute as SQL
Exec SQL
:#SQLStm;
I get the error
Token : was not valid. Valid tokens: .
Also I am open to different approaches
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_71/cl/runsqlstm.htm
Like RUNSQLSTM SRCFILE(MYLIB/MYFILE) SRCMBR(MYMBR)
Maybe there is a way to take a variable and save it to a source member?
Then use RUNSQLSTM over the source member
Showing some code:
Definition for the variable
d #SQLStm s A Len(6144) Varying(4)
Even when trying a portion of the SQL statement as a variable
#SQLStm = select * from XXLIB/XXFILE;
and then try:
Exec SQL
Create table MyLib/MyFile as( :#SQLStm)
DATA INITIALLY DEFERRED REFRESH DEFERRED
maintained by user;
I get the error
Token : was not valid. Valid tokens: .
I expect the SQLRPLE to compile
Instead of SQL precompile failed.
MSG ID SEV RECORD TEXT
SQL0104 30 236 Position 31 Token : was not valid. Valid tokens:
.
Message Summary
Total Info Warning Error Severe Terminal
1 0 0 0 1 0
30 level severity errors found in source

Answer 1

This is static SQL
Exec SQL
Create table MyLib/MyFile as(select * from XXLIB/XXFILE)
DATA INITIALLY DEFERRED REFRESH DEFERRED
maintained by user;
What you want is dynamic SQL
wSqlStmt = 'Create table MyLib/MyFile as(select * from XXLIB/XXFILE)'
+ ' DATA INITIALLY DEFERRED REFRESH DEFERRED'
+ ' maintained by user';
exec SQL
execute immediate :wSqlStmt;
Note that some statements can't be execute immediate instead you have to prepare then execute them.
more information can be found in the Embedded SQL programming manual.