"Karen Hill" <karen_hill22(at)yahoo(dot)com> writes:
> -- Is there a way to know the total number of rows the cursor is
> capable of traversing without using --count?
If you want an accurate count, the only way is to traverse the cursor.
Consider using MOVE FORWARD ALL and noting the rowcount, then MOVE
BACKWARD ALL to reset the cursor (the latter at least should be
reasonably cheap).
If you can settle for a (potentially very inaccurate) estimate, consider
using EXPLAIN on the query and noting the planner's rowcount estimate.
regards, tom lane