You can prevent an SQL statement from being processed immediately after being typed. This lets you check the statement for typing errors before it is processed using a START command. It also allows an SQL statement containing placeholders to be placed in the SQL command buffer, and values to be substituted for the placeholders when the statement is started using the START command. (The START command and placeholders are discussed in the next section.)
To illustrate, the following example shows how to prevent the statement SELECT * FROM PROJECT from being processed immediately. Type the following ISQL command:
hold select * from project
This statement remains in the buffer as the current statement until you enter another SQL statement (or another HOLD command).
The HOLD command can also be invoked by pressing PF9. If you press PF9 instead of ENTER after typing an SQL statement, it is placed in the command buffer and is not processed.
Your held statement can then be processed using the START command.
| Note: | HOLD cannot be used with ISQL commands. |