Row count from REF CURSOR

I'm sure I'm just missing something, but can't seem to find the answer.

We have a function that returns a REF CURSOR using the OPEN..FOR syntax. The SQL for the cursor is dynamically built in the procedure based on a series of configurations, such that the cursor will always be different based on the most current configuration. The generalized approach is that the dynamic SQL string is stored in a temporary table and then retrieved.

	SELECT to_char(SQLTranslationString)
	INTO vcSQLTranslationString
	FROM TranslationString
	WHERE AuditID = iAuditID;

	OPEN returnCursor FOR vcSQLTranslationString;

In this particular system, we have stringent audit requirements, such that we have to know the final target row count. I know the calling system that initiated the procedure can always call back and tell me the answer, but I was wondering if I could force the procedure to do it. I tried the following:

        iRowsProcessed := returnCursor%ROWCOUNT; , but found in the documentation that this will always be zero.

Any suggestions? Received on Wed Feb 15 2006 - 08:02:59 CST