> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors/open.md).

# OPEN

## Syntax

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Current" %}

```bnf
OPEN cursor_name [[USING variable[,...]] | [expression[,...]]];
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Oracle Mode" %}
{% code title="-- From MariaDB 12.3" %}

```sql
OPEN cursor_variable FOR dynamic_sql_string;
```

{% endcode %}

{% code title="-- From MariaDB 13.1.1" %}

```sql
OPEN cursor_variable FOR PREPARE stmt_name;
OPEN cursor_variable FOR LOCAL spvar;
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="< 10.3" %}

```sql
OPEN cursor_name
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Description

This statement opens a [cursor](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors.md) which was previously declared with [DECLARE CURSOR](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors/declare-cursor.md).

The query associated to the `DECLARE CURSOR` is executed when `OPEN` is executed. It is important to remember this if the query produces an error, or calls functions which have side effects.

This is necessary in order to [FETCH](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors/fetch.md) rows from a cursor.

See [Cursor Overview](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors/cursor-overview.md) for an example.

### Opening a Cursor Over a Prepared Statement

{% hint style="info" %}
`OPEN ... FOR PREPARE` and `OPEN ... FOR LOCAL` are available from MariaDB 13.1.1.
{% endhint %}

In Oracle mode, a `SYS_REFCURSOR` can be opened over an already-prepared statement:

* `OPEN cursor_variable FOR PREPARE stmt_name;` opens the cursor over the prepared statement named `stmt_name`.
* `OPEN cursor_variable FOR LOCAL spvar;` opens the cursor over the prepared statement whose name is the *value* of the stored-procedure variable `spvar`.

`OPEN ... FOR LOCAL` is only valid inside a stored procedure, and like the other LOCAL forms is not permitted in stored functions or triggers.

Both forms require a weak cursor variable (`SYS_REFCURSOR`). Using them with a strongly-typed `REF CURSOR` (one declared with a `RETURN` clause) returns an error.

## See Also

* [Cursor Overview](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors/cursor-overview.md)
* [DECLARE CURSOR](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors/declare-cursor.md)
* [FETCH cursor\_name](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors/fetch.md)
* [CLOSE cursor\_name](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors/close.md)
* [Cursors in Oracle mode](/docs/release-notes/community-server/about/compatibility-and-differences/sql_modeoracle.md)

<sub>*This page is licensed: GPLv2, originally from*</sub> [<sub>*fill\_help\_tables.sql*</sub>](https://github.com/MariaDB/server/blob/main/scripts/fill_help_tables.sql)

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