When SQL runs a select statement, the resulting rows comprise the
result table. A cursor provides a way to access a result table.
It is used within an SQL program to maintain a position in the
result table. SQL uses a cursor to work with the rows in the result table
and to make them available to your program. Your program can have several
cursors, although each must have a unique name.
Statements related to using a cursor include the following:
- A DECLARE CURSOR statement to define and name the cursor and specify the
rows to be retrieved with the embedded select statement.
- OPEN and CLOSE statements to open and close the cursor for use within
the program. The cursor must be opened before any rows can be retrieved.
- A FETCH statement to retrieve rows from the cursor's result table or to
position the cursor on another row.
- An UPDATE ... WHERE CURRENT OF statement to update the current row of
a cursor.
- A DELETE ... WHERE CURRENT OF statement to delete the current row of a
cursor.