BUG: ESQL: IN Clause in Cursor Causes Error

• Microsoft Embedded SQL version 4.2 for COBOL

SYMPTOMS

In an Embedded SQL for COBOL application, if the declaration of a cursor contains an IN clause and you use host variables as the list values, the following error occurs when you compile the application:

   Error 102: syntax error near "<cursor name>"

   exec sql
      declare c cursor for
      select * from authors
      where au_id in (:id1,:id2,:id3)
   end-exec

CAUSE

SQL Server Embedded SQL for COBOL incorrectly parses the IN clause in a cursor declaration if you use host variables as the list values.

WORKAROUND

Because there are a finite number of host variables in the value list, you can convert the IN clause into several OR statements. For example, the query above can be converted into the following:

   where au_id=:id1
   OR    au_id=:id2
   OR    au_id=:id3

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server Embedded SQL for COBOL version 4.2. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.