Am I Ignorant to think that a CURSOR is a bad idea? 1

[Gooser]

I've been under the general impression for some time now, (so long that I'm not sure I remember why) that CURSORs are a bad idea, and that anything that you can do using a CURSOR, you can do another, better way.

I have been avoiding them for so long, I now can't recall why I've been avoiding them.

Am I being ign'unt?

v/r

Gooser

Why do today
that which may not need to be done tomorrow --me

 

[gmmastros]

Nope. Not ignorant at all. You should avoid using a cursor for most operations. There are some rare occasions when a cursor will outperform set based operations.

SQLDenis was kind enough to set me straight once by pointing me to this link:

http://sqljunkies.com/WebLog/amachanic/archive/2006/02/28/18286.aspx

-George

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause. - Fortune cookie wisdom

 

[Gooser]

Again, George, Thank you.

v/r

Gooser

 

[mrdenny]

dito.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005) / MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com