Can't set variable without an error

[hometoy]

I'm trying to put together a fairly simple query, or at least I thought it was, but even the most basic parts don't want to work so I have to take this piece-by-piece.

I am trying to declare a varialbe in PostgreSQL 8.4 and when I put in this:

url varchar := 'http://bytes.com';

I get this:

:6: ERROR:  syntax error at or near "varchar"
LINE 1:  url varchar := 'http://www.chefa.com';

I get the same thing if I try to start the line with "declare "

Somehow I am missing something.

[rski]

Are you put it in plpgsql function?