# Presto 316 Documentation

## 9.27. PREPARE

## Synopsis

    PREPARE statement_name FROM statement

## Description

Prepares a statement for execution at a later time. Prepared statements are queries that are saved in a session with a given name. The statement can include parameters in place of literals to be replaced at execution time. Parameters are represented by question marks.

## Examples

Prepare a select query:

    PREPARE my_select1 FROM
    SELECT * FROM nation;

Prepare a select query that includes parameters. The values to compare with `regionkey` and `nationkey` will be filled in with the EXECUTE statement:

    PREPARE my_select2 FROM
    SELECT name FROM nation WHERE regionkey = ? AND nationkey < ?;

Prepare an insert query:

    PREPARE my_insert FROM
    INSERT INTO cities VALUES (1, 'San Francisco');

## See Also

EXECUTE, DEALLOCATE PREPARE, DESCRIBE INPUT, DESCRIBE OUTPUT