Where clause problem

Hi all
I am having trouble with a where clause see below
[code]
WHERE COMBOENTRY_IN LIKE '%' || USERENTRY_IN ||'%'
[code]
i believe that the COMBOENTRY_IN variable is not being recognised as a variable but as a String any ideas how i could get it to be recognised as a column name

re: Where clause problem

i think USERENTRY_IN should be a variable but the COMBOENTRY_IN should be a field name in the database table.

re: Where clause problem

i understand what you are saying but what i am asking is there any way in which i can search a selected column in the database (COMBOENTRY_IN) with a string the user enters (USERENTRY_IN). Or would i have to have several different select statements within a block of if and else if statements

eg the user selects that the want to search for a username if something = USERNAME then do this elseif etc etc

re: Where clause problem

I think my problem would be solved with a dynamic pl/sql but i have no idea how? Any Ideas?