Help plss Should a cursor be created in database or program unit in forms l

Question

Where can i create a cursor should it be in database i.e isql plus using internet explorer or should i create the cursor in forms
forms can i create the cursor so that i can use the cursor in the post item trigger of the userid item of login page
Can i create the cursor in a package specification and how can i call that cursor into a post_text item trigger
details below
Iam working on a Online exam for students Dummy project using forms
The student 1st comes to a WELCOME page i.e form which asks him if he is a new student or registered stud
If he clicks registered pushbutton it takes him to a LOGIN page where there are two items userid and password.I am using a Validate_item OR Post_item trigger to fire after the student enters his userid.
I need to compare the entered userid with the userid stored in the database STUDENTS table which i created which consists of the registered students details.
Our project Guide suggested that we create a cursor and fetch each userid everytime into the cursor and compare the entered userid with the cursor.

Answer 1

hi Sqlstar,
Regarding to your all questions , i prefered that you search for a simple document or book in order to understand much more more about creating cursors.
however since this forum made to help people and to make a integerated community i would be glad to offer my help and going with you step bt step with your answers.
as for beginning
1) when you create the user_exists function in database , if you want to call it in the form level you would wirte a code like this
----WHEN-VALIDATE-ITEM------------user_id item---------
IF scheme_name.procedure_name(:block1.userid)!='TURE' then
   message('User Name is not correct');
   raise form_trigger_failure;
end if;
2) it's not a waste of recourse to make 2 validation of both userid and password
and as same you create a procedure for useris you should create a procedure for password where the user id is the outcomming of userid item in the form.
3)you have all choices to create the 2 procedures on database side or in the program unit at design time for the form it's up to you and as a small hint for you ,
when you create them in the program unit and want to call the procedures in the WHEN-VALIDATE-ITEM  trigger you should denote the procedure name with the name of package first as following
-------[Package Spec Code]-------
PACKAGE user_validation IS
function user_exists (p_user_id number) return boolean;
end ;
--------------[Package Body Code]------
PACKAGE BODY user_validation IS
function user_exists (p_user_id number) return boolean
is
user_number number;
cursor c_user_id is
select user_id from <user_table>
where user_id=p_user_id;
begin
open c_user_id ;
loop
fetch user_id  into user_number ;
return (true);
exit when c_user_id%NOTFOUND;
end loop;
execption  when others then
return(false);
end user_exists;
end;
-----Calling at Validation level-----------
IF (user_validation.user_exists(:block1.userid))!=TURE then
   message('User Name is not correct');
   raise form_trigger_failure;
end if;
i hope this could be helpful engouh to start your application
Good Luck .
Regards
Omar