create or replace FUNCTION open_and_parse 
	(sql_statement_in IN VARCHAR2, 
	 dbms_mode_in IN INTEGER := DBMS_SQL.NATIVE) 
RETURN INTEGER
IS
	/* Declare cursor handle and assign it a pointer */
	return_value INTEGER := DBMS_SQL.OPEN_CURSOR;
BEGIN
	/* Parse the SQL statement */
	DBMS_SQL.PARSE 
		(return_value, sql_statement_in, dbms_mode_in);

	/* Pass back the pointer to this parsed statement */
	RETURN return_value;
END;
/