hi, yes the cursor is opening in the pl/sql and i am using DBD::Oracle qw(:ora_types). I think the problem here is that in pl/sql when i run the procedure with the declare section and all, i have to use the line declare s_cur Pacdesignset.structure_cur because within that, a cartridge is used to convert the molecule structure from one format into a CLOB called a molfile. Now in order for me to bind that as an out parameter i would do Pacdesignset.get_data(5000,1,:s_cur), but and this is the killer but, can i do declare s_cur Pacdesign.structure_cur; begin Pacdesignset.get_data(5000,1,:s_cur) to still get at it as a bind variable even though it has been declared as a specific thing and not a placeholder?

How do i know what version of DBI im using?

Thanks

Joe

P.S. Sorry for being so verbose.