---
title: "VAR"
id: ecpg-sql-var
pg_version: "20devel"
---

<a id="ecpg-sql-var"></a>

# VAR — define a variable

## Synopsis

```
VAR varname IS ctype
```

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## Description

The `VAR` command assigns a new C data type to a host variable. The host variable must be previously declared in a declare section. 

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## Parameters

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**`varname`**

 A C variable name. <a id="ecpg-sql-var-ctype"></a>

**`ctype`**

 A C type specification. <a id="id-1.7.5.20.18.5"></a>

## Examples


Exec sql begin declare section;
short a;
exec sql end declare section;
EXEC SQL VAR a IS int;
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## Compatibility

The `VAR` command is a PostgreSQL extension.