The best replacement for ref cursor is cursor.

The best alternatives to ref cursor are rated as following:
★★★★★  cursor
★★★★★  sys_refcursor
★★  refcursor
★★  bulk collect
★★  execute immediate
★  pipelined function
  sys refcursor

Your alternative for ref cursor is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about ref cursor, one probably shouldn't forget about for loop in oracle.

Other search terms related to ref cursor and their ratings are:
★★★★★ for loop in oracle
★★★★ bulk collect
You have in mind a companion for ref cursor and it is not yet here? Propose!



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ref cursor
cursor
sys_refcursor