title: Declare and Set not recognized syntax for my SQL server
body: <p>I am running an SQL server version: 5.1.44 using XAMPP. I've been looking through SQL tutorials that use the commands DECLARE and SET.</p>
  
  <p>When I run</p>
  
  <pre><code>DECLARE @iVariable INT, @vVariable VARCHAR(100), @dDateTime DATETIME
  SET @iVariable = 1
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>It responds</p>
  
  <pre><code>#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'DECLARE @iVariable INT, @vVariable VARCHAR(100), @dDateTime DATETIME SET @iVari' at line 1
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Can anyone shed any light on why this isn't working?</p>