## ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR

ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR — allocate an SQL descriptor area

## Synopsis

```
ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR name

```

## Description

`ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR` allocates a new named SQL descriptor area, which can be used to exchange data between the PostgreSQL server and the host program.

 Descriptor areas should be freed after use using the `DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR` command.

## Parameters

*`name`*

 A name of SQL descriptor, case sensitive. This can be an SQL identifier or a host variable.

## Examples

```
EXEC SQL ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR mydesc;

```

## Compatibility

`ALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR` is specified in the SQL standard.

## See Also

[DEALLOCATE DESCRIPTOR](ecpg-sql-deallocate-descriptor.html), [GET DESCRIPTOR](ecpg-sql-get-descriptor.html), [SET DESCRIPTOR](ecpg-sql-set-descriptor.html)