if ($numParams == 1) { my $DBquery= $sth->execute($SearchPhrase); } elsif ($numParams == 2) { my $DBquery= $sth->execute($SearchPhrase, $SearchSystem); } elsif ($numParams == 3) { my $DBquery= $sth->execute($SearchPhrase, $begDate, $endDate); } elsif ($numParams == 3) { my $DBquery= $sth->execute($SearchPhrase, $SearchSystem, $begDate, $endDate); }