>Hi Cetin,
>
> >what am I missing?<
>
> just put the parameter in brackets: (findtext) so it will be evaluated!
>
> regards
> Eugen
I think you misunderstood me. I say it would also work w/o parentheses and asked why you intentionally say it wouldn't work w/o parentheses.

findtext="%"+somecharvalue+"%"
* I claim both works
select * from sometable ;
  where searchfield like findtext
* You said "it can't work" 
select * from sometable ;
  where searchfield like (findtext)

Now if it was a name expression I would understand why to use parentheses. Here I ask is there something else that I don't know ? Regards.
Cetin