What is a PL/SQL Cursor and How is it Used in Oracle Databases?

A PL/SQL cursor is a pointer or reference to a result set returned by a SELECT query. It allows you to fetch and process individual rows of the result set one at a time. Cursors are used to retrieve and manipulate data stored in an Oracle database.

In Oracle databases, cursors are commonly used in PL/SQL blocks or stored procedures to perform operations such as data retrieval, manipulation, and processing. Cursors help in handling result sets that contain multiple rows of data. They provide a way to iterate through the result set and access each row sequentially.

By using cursors in PL/SQL, you can execute queries that return multiple rows and process the results row by row. Cursors are beneficial in scenarios where you need to work with individual rows of a result set, perform calculations, or apply business logic to the data retrieved from the database.

In summary, a PL/SQL cursor in an Oracle database is a powerful tool that allows you to work with result sets returned by queries, enabling you to access, manipulate, and process data efficiently within your PL/SQL code.