Cursors are set of rows of data fetched from the database with a pointer at the current row which is defined by the iteration as the code parses through the data one row at a time.

When a cursor is used? It provides the unique ability to traverse through the query row-by-row.

Why avoid a cursor? A cursor should be avoided in a situation where the requirement can be achieved by a SQL because it is difficult to optimize to the same extent as the SQL.

How to use Cursors?

  1. Declare a Cursor and assign it to a query.
  2. Open the Cursor
  3. Retrieve the data from the Cursor one row at a time
  4. Close the cursor.

 

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