DBMS_SQL - Parse Step Question

We're having a little argument here.

If we use dbms_sql to define, parse and execute a sql statement, does it really get parsed EVERY time?

If the exact same statement is used it seems to make sense that the cursor.parse(); step would check the sga and if the statement already exists do only the error checking phase, rather than the full parse to figure out the execution plan.

My friend thinks that the execution of the cursor.parse(); would force the full parse to occur.

I think that it would be treated the same way as for a normally executed sql statement.

There is nothing definitive in any of the manuals we have.

Can anyone who KNOWS settle our aurgument??

Ian Received on Mon Jul 26 1999 - 16:18:35 CDT