Hi Guang >1. Why did I see the open_cursor jump from 1 to 3 when I just opened = one >cursor, then to 5 when the second cursor opened? Because each statement count. 1) PL/SQL block 2) SELECT RID from customers 3) select count(*) from v$open_cursor where sid=3D9 >2. Why did I get the same count before and after close the cursor? Because Oracle automatically caches SQL statements executed in PL/SQL. = Read "Usage Notes" under = http://download-west.oracle.com/docs/cd/B10501_01/appdev.920/a96624/13_el= ems33.htm#35174. HTH Chris -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l