What is wrong with this PL/SQL? Bind Variable * is NOT DECLARED

Question

Here is:

declare
  v_str1   varchar2(80);
begin
  v_str1 := \'test\';
  print :v_str1;
end

When I run it using SQLDeveloper just in a sql w

Answer 1

The bind variables syntax of the form :VARNAME are used primarily in SQL* Plus (except for bind variables for dynamic SQL, I think). For SQL* Developer, PL/SQL Developer, or other apps, there is the "&" for variable substitution:

declare
  v_str1   varchar2(80);
begin
  v_str1 := &v_str;
  print v_str1;
end

EDIT: My bad, the code for Oracle SQL*Developer should have been:

set serveroutput on;
declare
  v_str1   varchar2(80);
begin
  v_str1 := '&v_str';
  dbms_output.put_line(v_str1);
end;

You have to select everything and execute it. The result will appear in the "Script Output" panel.