Cursor

Steps through query results one row at a time; usually a last resort.

What is Cursor?

A cursor walks through query results one row at a time. It is slow compared to set-based SQL, so use it only when you truly must handle rows one by one.

DECLARE @name NVARCHAR(100);
DECLARE customers CURSOR FAST_FORWARD FOR SELECT Name FROM dbo.Customers;
OPEN customers;
FETCH NEXT FROM customers INTO @name;
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
    PRINT @name;
    FETCH NEXT FROM customers INTO @name;
END
CLOSE customers; DEALLOCATE customers;

Level: Freelancer · More Database terms at this level

Updated September 27, 2026