The source form of a static SQL statement is embedded within an application program written in a host language such as COBOL. The statement is prepared before the program is executed and the operational form of the statement persists beyond the execution of the program.
A source program containing static SQL statements must be processed by an SQL precompiler before it is compiled. The precompiler turns the SQL statements into host language comments, and generates host language statements to invoke the database manager. The syntax of the SQL statements is checked during the precompile process.
The preparation of an SQL application program includes precompilation, the binding of its static SQL statements to the target database, and compilation of the modified source program. The steps are specified in the Application Development Guide.