PLSQL order by issue

Question

Rolled back to revision one, then edited somewhat. See revised question.

I have an interesting issue with the below SELECT.

Its about ORDER BY clause; I am

Answer 1

If you want to do that, you will have to do dynamic SQL with PL/SQL.

DECLARE
  sql_str VARCHAR2(500);
  sortby  VARCHAR2(30) := 'your_column_name';
BEGIN
 -- Dynamic PL/SQL block invokes subprogram:
  sql_str := 'select * from your_table where a = 1 order by :a';

  OPEN CURSOR v_your_cursor for sql_str USING sortby;

  -- Then iterate your cursor.
END;
/