an ugly example (do not write a program like this...for purposes of argument ONLY)

/* -To get right to it, here is an example program that uses Embedded
    SQL. Embedded SQL allows programmers to connect to a database and
    include SQL code right in the program, so that their programs can
    use, manipulate, and process data from a database.
   -This example C Program (using Embedded SQL) will print a report.
   -This program will have to be precompiled for the SQL statements,
    before regular compilation.
   -The EXEC SQL parts are the same (standard), but the surrounding C
    code will need to be changed, including the host variable
    declarations, if you are using a different language.
   -Embedded SQL changes from system to system, so, once again, check
    local documentation, especially variable declarations and logging
    in procedures, in which network, DBMS, and operating system
    considerations are crucial. */

/************************************************/
/* THIS PROGRAM IS NOT COMPILABLE OR EXECUTABLE */
/* IT IS FOR EXAMPLE PURPOSES ONLY              */
/************************************************/

#include <stdio.h>

/* This section declares the host variables; these will be the
   variables your program uses, but also the variable SQL will put
   values in or take values out. */
EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTION;
  int BuyerID;
  char FirstName[100], LastName[100], Item[100];
EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTION;

/* This includes the SQLCA variable, so that some error checking can be done. */
EXEC SQL INCLUDE SQLCA;

main() {

/* This is a possible way to log into the database */
EXEC SQL CONNECT UserID/Password;

/* This code either says that you are connected or checks if an error
   code was generated, meaning log in was incorrect or not possible. */
  if(sqlca.sqlcode) {
    printf(Printer, "Error connecting to database server.\n");
    exit();
  }
  printf("Connected to database server.\n");

/* This declares a "Cursor". This is used when a query returns more
   than one row, and an operation is to be performed on each row
   resulting from the query. With each row established by this query,
   I'm going to use it in the report. Later, "Fetch" will be used to
   pick off each row, one at a time, but for the query to actually
   be executed, the "Open" statement is used. The "Declare" just
   establishes the query. */
EXEC SQL DECLARE ItemCursor CURSOR FOR
  SELECT ITEM, BUYERID
  FROM ANTIQUES
  ORDER BY ITEM;
EXEC SQL OPEN ItemCursor;

/* +-- You may wish to put a similar error checking block here --+ */

/* Fetch puts the values of the "next" row of the query in the host
   variables, respectively. However, a "priming fetch" (programming
   technique) must first be done. When the cursor is out of data, a
   sqlcode will be generated allowing us to leave the loop. Notice
   that, for simplicity's sake, the loop will leave on any sqlcode,
   even if it is an error code. Otherwise, specific code checking must
   be performed. */
EXEC SQL FETCH ItemCursor INTO :Item, :BuyerID;
  while(!sqlca.sqlcode) {

/* With each row, we will also do a couple of things. First, bump the
   price up by $5 (dealer's fee) and get the buyer's name to put in
   the report. To do this, I'll use an Update and a Select, before
   printing the line on the screen. The update assumes however, that
   a given buyer has only bought one of any given item, or else the
   price will be increased too many times. Otherwise, a "RowID" logic
   would have to be used (see documentation). Also notice the colon
   before host variable names when used inside of SQL statements. */

EXEC SQL UPDATE ANTIQUES
  SET PRICE = PRICE + 5
  WHERE ITEM = :Item AND BUYERID = :BuyerID;

EXEC SQL SELECT OWNERFIRSTNAME, OWNERLASTNAME
  INTO :FirstName, :LastName
  FROM ANTIQUEOWNERS
  WHERE BUYERID = :BuyerID;

    printf("%25s %25s %25s", FirstName, LastName, Item);

/* Ugly report--for example purposes only! Get the next row. */
EXEC SQL FETCH ItemCursor INTO :Item, :BuyerID;
  }

/* Close the cursor, commit the changes (see below), and exit the
   program. */
EXEC SQL CLOSE ItemCursor;
EXEC SQL COMMIT RELEASE;
  exit();
}