Sequential table processing is the programming technique you use
to operate on a multiple-row query result, one row at a
time. The query result is referred to as an active set.
You use a pointer called a cursor to move through the active
set, retrieving a row at a time into host variables and
optionally updating or deleting the row. Reporting applications
may find this technique useful. Update applications such as
those that periodically operate on tables not being concurrently
accessed (e.g., inventory adjustments) may also find this
technique useful.
This chapter reviews how to use SQL commands to perform
sequential table processing. It then examines transaction
management considerations that are relevant to sequential table
processing. Finally, this chapter examines a program that uses
this data manipulation technique.
