Language Usage / Control Structures / CURSOR orLanguage Usage / Variables & Types / General
Avoid usage of weak REF CURSOR types

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Weak "REF CURSOR" types should not be used

Weak REF CURSOR types are harder to work with than ones with a return type. Indeed, the compiler's type-checker is unable to make some verifications, which are then delayed till runtime.

When the use of weak REF CURSOR is required, it is best to use the SYS_REFCURSOR built-in type instead of defining a new one.

This rule's sysRefCursorAllowed parameter can be used to control whether or not the usage of SYS_REFCURSOR is allowed.

Noncompliant Code Example

DECLARE  TYPE dualCursorType IS REF CURSOR;  dualCursor dualCursorType;  otherCursor SYS_REFCURSOR;-- Compliant or non-compliant, depending on the "sysRefCursorAllowed" parameterBEGIN  otherCursor := dualCursor;-- WorksEND;

Compliant Solution

DECLARE  TYPE dualCursorType IS REF CURSOR RETURN DUAL%ROWTYPE;  dualCursor dualCursorType;  TYPE otherCursorType IS REF CURSOR RETURN a%ROWTYPE;  otherCursor otherCursorType;BEGIN  otherCursor := dualCursor;-- raises PLS-00382: expression is of wrong type, which makes debugging easierEND;