How to pass parameters into a sql script ? - Mailing list pgsql-general

We are unable to pass parameters into any sql script. Could anyone look at the test below and give any suggestions? PostgreSQL version is 8.2.7, running on Linux.

Test Script

========

$ cat chk_param.sql

select ''''||:p_date::char(8)||'''';

select count(*) from prod_debit_payments_unapplied where when_received = (select ''''||:p_date::char(8)||'''');

select count(*) from prod_debit_payments_unapplied where when_received = '20081023';

Test Results

=========

$ psql -d us_audit -e -1 -v p_date='20081023' -f chk_param.sql

Timing is on.

select ''''||20081023::char(8)||'''';

  ?column? 

------------

 '20081023'

(1 row)

Time: 1.474 ms

select count(*) from prod_debit_payments_unapplied where when_received = (select ''''||20081023::char(8)||'''');--same results with direct assignment and to_date

 count

-------

     0

(1 row)

Time: 36.290 ms

select count(*) from prod_debit_payments_unapplied where when_received = '20081023';

 count

-------

   193

(1 row)

Time: 17.722 ms

Thanks!

atul