DELETE (positioned) statement [ESQL] [SP]

Use this statement to delete the data at the current location of a cursor.

Syntax
DELETE [ FROM table-spec ] WHERE CURRENT OF cursor-name
cursor-name :  identifier | hostvar
table-spec : [ owner.]correlation-name
owner : identifier
Remarks

This form of the DELETE statement deletes the current row of the specified cursor. The current row is defined to be the last row fetched from the cursor.

The table from which rows are deleted is determined as follows:

  • If no FROM clause is included, the cursor must be on a single table only.

  • If the cursor is for a joined query (including using a view containing a join), then the FROM clause must be used. Only the current row of the specified table is deleted. The other tables involved in the join are not affected.

  • If a FROM clause is included, and no table owner is specified, table-spec is first matched against any correlation names.

    • If a correlation name exists, table-spec is identified with the correlation name.

    • If a correlation name does not exist, table-spec must be unambiguously identifiable as a table name in the cursor.

  • If a FROM clause is included, and a table owner is specified, table-spec must be unambiguously identifiable as a table name in the cursor.

  • The positioned DELETE statement can be used on a cursor open on a view as long as the view is updatable.

Permissions

Must have DELETE permission on tables used in the cursor.

Side effects

None.

See also
Standards and compatibility
  • SQL/2003   Core feature. The range of cursors that can be updated may contain vendor extensions if the ansi_update_constraints option is set to Off.

Example

The following statement removes the current row from the database.

DELETE
WHERE CURRENT OF cur_employee;