title: Simple Oracle variable SQL Assignment
body: <p>Despite having spent an hour researching I can't seem to figure out how to correctly define a variable and then use it in your SQL.</p>
  
  <p>This is what I have so far produced:</p>
  
  <p><code>DECLARE startDate DATE := to_date('03/11/2011', 'dd/mm/yyyy');</code></p>
  
  <p>of which I get the reply:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>ORA-06550: line 1, column 63: PLS-00103: Encountered the symbol
    "end-of-file" when expecting one of the following:</p>
    
    <p>begin function package pragma procedure subtype type use      form    current
    cursor</p>
    
    <p>Details: DECLARE startDate DATE := to_date('03/11/2011',
    'dd/mm/yyyy'); Error at line 1 ORA-06550: line 1, column 63:
    PLS-00103: Encountered the symbol "end-of-file" when expecting one of
    the following:</p>
    
    <p>begin function package pragma procedure subtype type use      form    current
    cursor</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I'd love to find out how to do such a simple task!</p>