Understanding Implicit and Explicit Cursors in PL/SQL Programming

When it comes to PL/SQL programming, cursors are essential for handling result sets. The two main types of cursors are implicit and explicit cursors.

Implicit Cursors

The 'implicit' keyword refers to cursors that are automatically created and managed by PL/SQL when a SQL statement is executed. These cursors are simple to use and do not require manual declaration or management by the programmer.

Implicit cursors are typically used for single-row queries and are suitable for straightforward database operations.

Explicit Cursors

On the other hand, 'explicit' cursors are declared, opened, fetched, and closed by the programmer. They provide more control and flexibility compared to implicit cursors, allowing for complex queries and operations involving multiple rows.

Explicit cursors require manual handling of each step, including declaration, opening, fetching data, and closing the cursor after use.

Summary

In summary, the main difference between implicit and explicit cursors lies in their automation and control. Implicit cursors are automatically managed by PL/SQL, while explicit cursors require manual declaration and management by the programmer.