Unlike static cursors, a cursor variable does not have to be closed before it can be re-opened again. The result set from the previously opened cursor variable will be lost.

The example is completed with the addition of the CLOSE statement:

CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE emp_by_dept (
    p_deptno        emp.deptno%TYPE
)
IS
    emp_refcur      SYS_REFCURSOR;
    v_empno         emp.empno%TYPE;
    v_ename         emp.ename%TYPE;
BEGIN
    OPEN emp_refcur FOR SELECT empno, ename FROM emp WHERE deptno = p_deptno;
    DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('EMPNO    ENAME');
    DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('-----    -------');
    LOOP
        FETCH emp_refcur INTO v_empno, v_ename;
        EXIT WHEN emp_refcur%NOTFOUND;
        DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(v_empno || '     ' || v_ename);
    END LOOP;
    CLOSE emp_refcur;
END;

The following output is generated when this procedure is executed:

EXEC emp_by_dept(20)

EMPNO    ENAME
-----    -------
7369     SMITH
7566     JONES
7788     SCOTT
7876     ADAMS
7902     FORD