Hi Roger, What did you declare the variables: a_strng and a_atwrt? Here's a description of the error you're having: ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error string Cause: An arithmetic, numeric, string, conversion, or constraint error occurred. For example, this error occurs if an attempt is made to assign the value NULL to a variable declared NOT NULL, or if an attempt is made to assign an integer larger than 99 to a variable declared NUMBER(2). Action: Change the data, how it is manipulated, or how it is declared so that values do not violate constraints. Regards, Shamita Roger Xu <roger_xu@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Nothing wrong with the cursor, the only problem is: "a_strng := a_ATWRT || a_strng;" ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error ORA-06512: at line 97 everything else works fine if I comment out "a_strng := a_ATWRT || a_strng;" Again, the question is "How do I concatenate a string?" I guess := is for numeric value only? Thanks, Roger -----Original Message----- From: Jared Still [mailto:jkstill@xxxxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 3:17 PM To: Roger Xu Cc: Oracle-L@Freelists. Org (E-mail) Subject: Re: how do I concatenate a string in PL/SQL? It is hard to help when we don't know what the errors are. Try posting a working example that duplicates the error. On 2/8/06, Roger Xu < roger_xu@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: I am a PL/SQL newbie and the following gives me errors while executing. a_strng := NULL; open b_cursor; loop fetch b_cursor into a_ATWRT; a_strng := a_ATWRT || a_strng; exit when b_cursor%NOTFOUND; end loop; close b_cursor; Thanks, Roger This e-mail is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any review, dissemination, copying, printing or other use of this e-mail by persons or entities other than the addressee is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the material. ____________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned for all viruses by the MessageLabs Email Security System. Any questions please call 972-721-8257 or email your request to tech_support@xxxxxxxxxxxx -- Jared Still Certifiable Oracle DBA and Part Time Perl Evangelist For technical support please email tech_support@xxxxxxxxxxx or you can call (972)721-8257. This email has been scanned for all viruses by the MessageLabs Email Security System. This e-mail is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any review, dissemination, copying, printing or other use of this e-mail by persons or entities other than the addressee is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the material. ____________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned for all viruses by the MessageLabs Email Security System. Any questions please call 972-721-8257 or email your request to tech_support@xxxxxxxxxxxx --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.