Should be entirely executable in postgres using psql variables (once you get around the psql quoting weirdnesses). do this:
gp_test=# \set item '\''Apple' gp_test=# \set qty 6 gp_test=# \echo :item 'Apple' gp_test=# \echo :qty 6 and then run his query. Now, i am not sure what DBMS lets Mr. Celko insert the string 'Orange' into a CHAR(5) field, but he's a smartie, so I am sure there must be a way ;-) George > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Richard > Broersma Jr > Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 11:55 AM > To: stig erikson; pgsql-sql@postgresql.org > Subject: Re: [SQL] a celko-puzzle from long time ago > > > While reading celko's SQL puzzles (second edition) i > followed a reference to > > http://www.dbmsmag.com/9801d06.html. > > There is a puzzle that counts items in boxes. > > When i try to run the proposed solution on PG 8.1.5, PG > says: ERROR: column reference "qty" is > > ambiguous > > > > > > apparently the variable declaration used in the solution is > not proper for PostgreSQL. Is there > > a way to solve this puzzle in PostgreSQL? > > I believe that qty is a parameter variable that must first be > set in psql. I've seen some thread > in various lists that describe how to set parameter variables > before executing a query that uses > them. > > Regards, > > Richard Broersma Jr. ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 7: You can help support the PostgreSQL project by donating at http://www.postgresql.org/about/donate
