Not that what matters is that you have 'deptno' defined as a parameter of the ZSQL method. The fact that, in your table, the field is "deptno" is just a coincedence. The field in the table is referenced as "e.deptno" is fine--but that's the name of the parameter for the ZSQL method. To make is clearer:
The problem is that I need to use the following dtml statement to make the parameter optional: <dtml-sqltest e.deptno op=eq type=int optional> I can't use 'deptno' as the name, because the then the db doesn't know which deptno column I want to filter on. So then I need to use 'e.deptno' as the parameter name. The 'dictionary' syntax you suggested for the <dtml-in> statement made it accept the e.deptno as a parameter. So now I use this: <dtml-in expr="emp_list({'e.deptno':10})"> which works like a charm. Thanks alot. Ernst Eeldert PS. this little conversation between Joel and can be seen as 1 vote against a seperate 'newbie-list'. One thing I have to say to other newbies: if you solve your problem slightly different then was suggested by a guru, don't hesitate to reply with the full solution. This way, we make the mailing list an even more valuable resource for other newbies.