The way I always do it is if I'm returning a single "row", I use PL/SQL variable/record, multiple rows REF CURSOR.
That way if the proc/func returns REF CURSOR, you know your expecting 0-n rows. PL/SQL variable? 0-1 rows. Kevin -----Original Message----- Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 4:35 PM To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L I've RTFM'd looking for advantages/disadvantages of ref_cursors vs. out parameters. We have a developer who insists on using out parameters instead of ref_cursors. He hasn't coded PL/SQL since Oracle7. The application program that calls the PL/SQL package is written in C#. I'm at a loss for words. I'm not a PL/SQL expert, but it seems that ref_cursors have the advantage of not needing to define PL/SQL variables, and that it's easier to pass a result set back to the calling program. I also assume that ref_cursors have better performance. Can someone clarify this? Maybe I'm confused. Thanks, Suzy -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: Vordos, Suzy INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: Kevin Toepke INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).
