Embed SQL statements

The Informix® ESQL/C program can use SQL statements to communicate with the database server. The program can use both static and dynamic SQL statements.

A static SQL statement is one in which all the components are known when you compile the program. A dynamic SQL statement is one in which you do not know all the components at compile time; the program receives all or part of the statement at run time. For a description of dynamic SQL, see Using dynamic SQL.

You can embed SQL statements in a C function with one of two formats:
  • The EXEC SQL keywords: 
    EXEC SQL SQL_statement;

    Using EXEC SQL keywords is the ANSI-compliant method to embed an SQL statement.

  • The dollar sign ($) notation:
    $SQL_statement;

In either of these formats, replace SQL_statement with the complete text of a valid statement. Informix® ESQL/C statements can include host variables in most places where you can use a constant. For any exceptions, see the syntax of individual statements in the Informix® Guide to SQL: Syntax.