I'm trying to load a database table. The table contains several string
columns, and in many places the value of that string must contain an
ampersand (&).

When I code an insert statement like this:

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--  line of error message', '--  line 2 of
message);

SQL*Plus assumes that &nbsp is a variable and prompts me for a value
for it. Is there a way to escape the & so that it becomes just part of
the string?

--
Tim Slattery
Slattery_T (AT) bls (DOT) gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

Tim Slattery <Slattery_T (AT) bls (DOT) gov> wa:
Preface it with and follow it up with:

set def off

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--&nbsp; line of error message', '--&nbsp; line 2 of
message);

set def on

(you can also change the def character, "set def `" or some other
character you don't use)



Or, you can use the chr() function for amp in it:

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp; stuff...', '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp;
more stuff');


--
"Care must be exorcised when handring Opiticar System as it is apts to
be sticked by dusts and hand-fat." --Japanese Translators

"Keep your fingers off the lens." --Elton Byington, English Translator

Tim Slattery <Slattery_T (AT) bls (DOT) gov> wa:
Preface it with and follow it up with:

set def off

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--&nbsp; line of error message', '--&nbsp; line 2 of
message);

set def on

(you can also change the def character, "set def `" or some other
character you don't use)



Or, you can use the chr() function for amp in it:

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp; stuff...', '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp;
more stuff');


--
"Care must be exorcised when handring Opiticar System as it is apts to
be sticked by dusts and hand-fat." --Japanese Translators

"Keep your fingers off the lens." --Elton Byington, English Translator

Tim Slattery <Slattery_T (AT) bls (DOT) gov> wa:
Preface it with and follow it up with:

set def off

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--&nbsp; line of error message', '--&nbsp; line 2 of
message);

set def on

(you can also change the def character, "set def `" or some other
character you don't use)



Or, you can use the chr() function for amp in it:

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp; stuff...', '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp;
more stuff');


--
"Care must be exorcised when handring Opiticar System as it is apts to
be sticked by dusts and hand-fat." --Japanese Translators

"Keep your fingers off the lens." --Elton Byington, English Translator

Tim Slattery <Slattery_T (AT) bls (DOT) gov> wa:
Preface it with and follow it up with:

set def off

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--&nbsp; line of error message', '--&nbsp; line 2 of
message);

set def on

(you can also change the def character, "set def `" or some other
character you don't use)



Or, you can use the chr() function for amp in it:

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp; stuff...', '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp;
more stuff');


--
"Care must be exorcised when handring Opiticar System as it is apts to
be sticked by dusts and hand-fat." --Japanese Translators

"Keep your fingers off the lens." --Elton Byington, English Translator

Tim Slattery <Slattery_T (AT) bls (DOT) gov> wa:
Preface it with and follow it up with:

set def off

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--&nbsp; line of error message', '--&nbsp; line 2 of
message);

set def on

(you can also change the def character, "set def `" or some other
character you don't use)



Or, you can use the chr() function for amp in it:

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp; stuff...', '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp;
more stuff');


--
"Care must be exorcised when handring Opiticar System as it is apts to
be sticked by dusts and hand-fat." --Japanese Translators

"Keep your fingers off the lens." --Elton Byington, English Translator

Tim Slattery <Slattery_T (AT) bls (DOT) gov> wa:
Preface it with and follow it up with:

set def off

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--&nbsp; line of error message', '--&nbsp; line 2 of
message);

set def on

(you can also change the def character, "set def `" or some other
character you don't use)



Or, you can use the chr() function for amp in it:

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp; stuff...', '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp;
more stuff');


--
"Care must be exorcised when handring Opiticar System as it is apts to
be sticked by dusts and hand-fat." --Japanese Translators

"Keep your fingers off the lens." --Elton Byington, English Translator

Tim Slattery <Slattery_T (AT) bls (DOT) gov> wa:
Preface it with and follow it up with:

set def off

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--&nbsp; line of error message', '--&nbsp; line 2 of
message);

set def on

(you can also change the def character, "set def `" or some other
character you don't use)



Or, you can use the chr() function for amp in it:

insert into edit_messages (edit_number, title, intro)
values(123, '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp; stuff...', '--'||chr(38)||'nbsp;
more stuff');


--
"Care must be exorcised when handring Opiticar System as it is apts to
be sticked by dusts and hand-fat." --Japanese Translators

"Keep your fingers off the lens." --Elton Byington, English Translator