PL/SQL how does REF CURSOR differ from CURSOR

[jsteff]

I understand the use of a typical CURSOR in PL/SQL.

How does the REF CURSOR differ and when should I use it?

Thanks.

 

[taupirho]

A ref cursor is just the same as a regular cursor with the difference being that you use a REF cursor when you do not know in advance the tables/columns you will be selecting/from. e.g In pseudocode

if(x)
then
open my_ref_cursor for select integer_col from table1
else
open my_ref_cursor for select string_col from table2
endif

Same cursor handles both (but different) selects