MySQL - Local variables in Functions

[talk2astro]

Hi all,

 

I am new to MySQL and using version 5.0.45-community-nt.  I am trying to create a simple funtion, but the creation fails at the line where 'am trying to use a local variable (hope so). Heres the code:

 

CREATE FUNCTION TestFunction() RETURNS VARCHAR(20)
BEGIN
  DECLARE RetVal VARCHAR(20);
  SET RetVal = 'Test Msg';          
  RETURN RetVal;
END

 

The error message that I get is:

"Error Code : 1064

You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near '' at line 3".

 

This has been bugging me for some time now  ???. Expecting help regarding this, thankyou in advance.

 

Regards,

Hari.