Why We Use Ref Cursor in PL/SQL?
Cursor variables with REF CURSOR are important in PL/SQL programming for below reasons:
- Dynamic SQL: They allow the creation and execution of dynamic SQL queries. This is useful when the structure of the query or the tables involved is not known at compile time.
- Reusability: Cursor variables can be reused across different parts of the program reducing code duplication and improving maintainability.
- Parameter Passing: They can be used to pass query results between different program units such as stored procedures or functions and enable more modular and flexible code.
- Data Manipulation: They enable complex data manipulation operations that may involve multiple queries or data sources.
PL/SQL Cursor Variable with REF CURSOR
Cursor variables, also known as REF CURSORs, in PL/SQL, provide a dynamic and flexible means to handle query results. A cursor variable is a reference to a cursor, which can be opened, fetched, and closed dynamically at runtime.
In this article, we’ll delve into the usage of cursor variables with REF CURSOR in PL/SQL and showcase their versatility in managing dynamic queries and result sets.