title: Oracle SQL Developer String variable binding
body: <p>I'm using Oracle SQL Developer 4.0.1.14 and trying to figure out some variable bindings. I started with the queries below:</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT *
  FROM Ships
  WHERE UniqueId = 17;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and </p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT *
  FROM Ships
  WHERE UniqueId = :variable;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>These both execute successfully. When you run the second one, Oracle SQL Developer prompts you for a value, of which i enter 17. However, when i try to do the same thing with a string parameter, I am unsuccessful (Query returns 0 rows). For example:  </p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT *
  FROM Ships
  WHERE ShipName = 'Atlantic Boat';
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT *
  FROM Ships
  WHERE ShipName LIKE :variable;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Only the first query is successful. I have tried entering into the popup window</p>
  
  <p>Atlantic Boat </p>
  
  <p>'Atlantic Boat'</p>
  
  <p>"Atlantic Boat"</p>
  
  <p>and other variations without success. How can i make this work?</p>
  
  <p>EDIT: I have tried using the like statement and found some success.</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT *
  FROM Ships
  WHERE ShipName LIKE '%Atlantic Boat%';
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT *
  FROM Ships
  WHERE ShipName LIKE :variable;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Both actually work. The second requires %Atlantic Boat%, with no string quotes (''). I am still unable to get the = one to work however, even with % variations.</p>