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user_variables

🎯 Using User-Defined Variables for Row-by-Row Computations​

User variables let you store values and carry state across rows in a single query. They’re helpful for running totals or custom ranking before window functions were available. Initialize them in the SELECT or a subquery.

SET @running_total = 0;

SELECT
  order_date,
  amount,
  (@running_total := @running_total + amount) AS cumulative_amount
FROM orders
ORDER BY order_date;