date type parameter in Forms 3 with V7

I am experiencing a problem using a date type parameter in a procedure while running Forms 3 against Oracle V7. Below is listed a procedure which evidences the problem.

   DEFINE PROCEDURE

      NAME = item_exists
      DEFINITION = <<<
      procedure item_exists(effectivefrom in date) is
        rec_cnt   number;
        xeffectivefrom  date;
      begin
        xeffectivefrom := effectivefrom;
        select count(*) into rec_cnt
          from matt
/*       where effective_from = xeffectivefrom;  */
         where effective_from = effectivefrom;
        message('Number of items found == '|| to_char(rec_cnt));
      end;


      >>>

   ENDDEFINE PROCEDURE Assume that a record exists in the table, matt, and that the call to item_exists() "should" find the record. When the select-statement uses the parameter, 'effectivefrom', 'rec_cnt' is zero indicating that no record is found. However, when the local variable, 'xeffective_from' is used in the select-statement, 'rec_cnt' is correctly one. What I do not understand is why the procedure fails when the date type parameter is used, but works when the parameter's value is assigned to a local variable of the same type.

It is worth observing that a message() of a to_char() of the parameter both before and after the select-statement shows the value to be correct.

I am running SQL*Forms 3.0.16.12.8, PL/SQL 2.0.17.1.0, and ORACLE7 Server 7.0.15.4.2 on a DEC Alpha running OSF1 V1.3.

Thank you for your help.

Victor
vimpink_at_lynx.neu.edu Received on Tue Aug 02 1994 - 19:11:21 CEST