Variables: The Convertabase Package supports run-time variables. These variable allow us to alter the way the objects behave. Variables inside of packages have the following properties: Once created, Variables exist until the package completes. All Variables are strings. Numbers can be stored in strings. Variables can be preset with Parameter files. Variables in the properties of an object begin with "<" and end with ">". You can have as many variables as you want in a package. Variables being used in an object must be listed in the 'variables used' property of the object. The SQL select can select data from the database into variables.