my $column = $sth->fetchrow_array();

##</code><code>##

my ($column) = $sth->fetchrow_array();

##</code><code>##

my $count = @array; # gets the array size
my ($first) = @array # gets the first item

##</code><code>##

$dbh->trace(2);
my $sth=$dbh->prepare(qq{SELECT name from emp where ID = ?});
$sth->execute(qq("ABC123"));
$dbh->trace(0);

##</code><code>##

SELECT name from emp where ID = "'ABC123'";