Store results into a variable...

Question

How can I get a result I need into a variable, that I can use in a subsequent query.
My initial thought was something like:
select emp_id into MyVariable
from emp where emp_NAME='Kevin';
select * from emp
where emp_id='&MyVariable';
I'm doing this in TOAD, and I need to manually type the 'Kevin' once, and use the MyVariable in a series of queries; otherwise I would just use ACCEPT, and ask for the Name, and lookup the emp_id. But this is not what I need for this.
I've tried OBG (Oracle By Google) which suggested something like:
DECLARE
MyVariable number;
BEGIN
select emp_id into MyVariable
where emp_NAME='Kevin';
dbms_output.put.line ('My Variable is ' || MyVariable);
END
But I'm getting and error on the dbms_output statement, and I can't seem to use the variable in a subsequet select statement!
Appreciate any thoughts on this!

Answer 1

I would advise putting the sql statements into a pl/sql block - then you could reuse the value
declare
    v_my_var NUMBER;
begin
    -- Get your value
    select ... into v_my_var from ... where name = 'Kevin' ...
    -- your first sql statement
    select  .... from .... where id = v_my_var;
    -- your second sql statement
    select .... from .... where id = v_my_var;
    etc.
end;Toad does also provide for using the same value multiple times - for example, if you execute
select &name from dual;   (any select statement)it will prompt you for a value for &name
You can then have multiple statements after that in your sql tab
select .... from .... where name = &nameand it will replace the &name with the value you previously entered. You need to use Editor -> Run as Script (F5) to run all the sql statements in your tab.
Hope this helps.