The delete cursor statement deletes the row to which the cursor currently points. If the cursor is not pointing to a row (for example, the cursor has reached the end of the set or is positioned after a row due to a previous delete), the DBMS Server issues a runtime error.

After the row is deleted, the cursor points to a position after the deleted row, but before the next row (if any). To advance the cursor, the application program must issue a retrieve cursor statement.

If the cursor is opened for direct update, the deletion occurs immediately. If the cursor is opened for deferred update (the default), the deletion occurs when the cursor is closed.