Use the Variables tab to assign substitution variables for selection criteria or SQL statements in an access definition. Additionally, you can use any defined variables when you create extract or restore actions.
For detailed information about selection criteria, SQL, or actions, see Table Specifications.
By assigning variables, you provide values for the variables each time the access definition is used in a process. As an option, you can provide default values for substitution variables. The variables are saved with the access definition. You can also specify or override variables (programmatically or in batch) referenced in an archive, extract, or restore request using the command-line interface.

Enter a name for the variable (1-12 characters). The name is embedded in the selection criteria or SQL. Logical naming conventions help identify variables.
Enter an optional default value for the variable to be used when no value is specified for the variable at run time. Default values are validated at run time. If a value is the incorrect data type or size for the column or does not conform to SQL syntax, processing errors might result.
Default values must be of the appropriate data type and size for the column and must conform to SQL syntax. For example, assume that a variable name is ST (state), the variable delimiter is a colon (:), and the column requires character data.
| Selection Criteria | Value |
|---|---|
| = ':ST' | CA |
| Selection Criteria | Value |
|---|---|
| = :ST | 'CA' |
Enter the text that prompts for the variable value at run time. Type the prompt string exactly as you want it to appear in the process request dialog (up to 50 characters). This prompt is displayed before you execute the request.