From: NoSpam@For.me   
      
   I use an application that uses Oracle 8.1.7. All functions of the   
   application are completed with calls to stored procedures. A data entry   
   error occurred that caused thousands of records to be created with a   
   consistent error in a single field. I can identify those easily records with   
   a select statement. I'd *really* rather not have to change them all   
   manually.   
      
   I do have access to run a simple update query to correct only the field in   
   question, but that won't trigger other events like insert records into   
   application transaction logs, print update notices, etc. All of those are   
   accomplished by the procedure I'll call UpdateProblemTable. The parameters   
   of the procedure correspond to all fields in the table affected.   
      
   I've successfully used some other procedures by constructing a script using   
   an Access (gack!) select query, then exporting that to a text file. It's not   
   very sophisticated but it is accurate and works fine, except when one of the   
   parameters is a date. It's also a rather primitive way to go about this, I'm   
   sure.   
      
   When the procedure call fails, the error message says something to the   
   effect of missing a parenthesis. Since it only happens when I try to pass a   
   date as a parameter, I'm guessing a bad date format causes it.   
      
   What I'm sending is: Call UpdateProblemTable('field1' (text), field2   
   (number), 7/31/2003 23:45:00) .   
      
   Questions:   
      
   1. How should I format this date field?   
      
   2. Is there a simpler way to accomplish this? From browsing this group, I   
   see references to 'select into procedure'. If I could do something like   
   that, this would be a piece of cake. If so, I'm guessing it would be   
   something like:   
      
   Select 'correct', field2, field3 from ProblemTable where field1='wrong' into   
   UpdateProblemTable(?,?,?)   
      
   Am I way off base? If not, the field I'm updating is a text field, so the   
   date issue is moot. (Note: I do not have rights to create tables or anything   
   like that. For the purposes of this issue, I'm pretty much limited to   
   select, update, and call procedure.)   
      
   I have other uses for a similar call to another procedure, but need to   
   provide a specific date as a parameter in that case. So, for that, I do need   
   to know how to provide a date as a parameter.   
      
   Thanks for in advance for your time and advice.   
      
   Chris   
      
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