What is cursor in SQL Server?

A cursor is a set of rows together with a pointer that identifies a current row. 

In other word, Cursor is a database object used by applications to manipulate data in a set on a row-by-row basis, its like recordset in the ASP and visual basic. 

Typical syntax of cursor is 

DECLARE @fName varchar(50), @lName varchar(50)

DECLARE cursorName CURSOR -- Declare cursor

LOCAL SCROLL STATIC

FOR

Select firstName, lastName FROM myTable

OPEN cursorName -- open the cursor

FETCH NEXT FROM cursorName

INTO @fName, @lName

PRINT @fName + ' ' + @lName -- print the name

WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0

BEGIN

FETCH NEXT FROM cursorName

INTO @fName, @lName

PRINT @fName + ' ' + @lName -- print the name

END



CLOSE cursorName -- close the cursor

DEALLOCATE cursorName -- Deallocate the cursor