I'm new to T-SQL

I perform a SQL statement that returns one row of data with multiple columns.

Which is more efficient?
1) To use a cursor to get at the returned data?
2) To return the data as a delimited string that is then parsed to extact the columns

I would imaging that parsing the string would faster?

Am I right? or is there a more efficient method

Does any one know of any site that teach good T-SQL techniques?

thanks