Correct way to set up Variables [Was - Simple Accumulating Number Loop?]

What would be the correct way to set up a dynamic
variable? I did some further research on my question
below, and I still don't have a definite answer to
whether or not use \set or SET. I did read at
http://www.commandprompt.com/ppbook/x19832 about using
variables in a Function, but that seems like an awful
lot to do [or does MS SQL make it easier than
PostgreSQL?]. Any help, ideas, or clarification are
much appreciated.

-Ubence

> --- Ubence Quevedo <r0d3nt(at)pacbell(dot)net> wrote:
>
> > Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 15:26:07 -0800 (PST)
> > From: Ubence Quevedo <r0d3nt(at)pacbell(dot)net>
> > Subject: Simple Accumulating Number Loop?
> > To: pgsql-novice(at)postgresql(dot)org,
> > pgsql-general(at)postgresql(dot)org
> >
> > A friend of mine has created this simple
> > accumulating
> > loop query for MS SQL 2k5 Express Edition. I am
> > trying to reproduce the same results with
> PostgreSQL
> > 8.1, but am not able to find much useful help on
> how
> > to properly set up a variable of both int and
> char.
> > The PostgreSQL documentation is great if you have
> an
> > idea of what you are doing, but I'm still really
> new
> > to PostgreSQL. If someone can just point out some
> > hints or clarifications as to wether to use the
> SET
> > command or the psql \set command. Below is the
> > query
> > in question.
> >
> > Many thanx to any that can help.
> >
> > -Ubence
> >
> > declare @variableint int
> > declare @desc char (50)
> > set @variableint = 0
> > create table counter (countid int , description
> > varchar(50))
> > while @variableint < 500
> > begin
> > set @variableint = @variableint + 1
> > set @desc = 'The Counter is Now' +' '+ cast
> > (@variableint as char(50))
> > insert into counter values (@variableint,@desc)
> > end
> > select * from counter
> >
>
>