Provided are a method, system, and program for making data available to an application program. A cursor is generated positioned with respect to a result table, wherein the cursor specifies a search criteria, and wherein the result table includes rows from a base table that satisfy the search criteria. A fetch request is received indicating to position the cursor on a plurality of rows of the result table. The cursor is positioned on the plurality of rows of the result table indicated in the fetch request that satisfy the search criteria.