Creating and Modifying

User Defined Functions

User Defined Function Concepts
Reusable blocks of SQL code
Accepts parameters
Possible return types
Tables
Scalar Values
User Defined Function Concepts
Advantages
Modular programming
Table valued functions can be used in FROM clauses
Similar to a view that accepts parameters
Disadvantages
Performance
Avoid using functions in WHERE clauses
Hidden cursor
Read only
Advantages and Disadvantages
Creating User Defined Functions
Returns a single value

CREATE FUNCTION <name> (<parameters>)
RETURNS <dataType>
AS
BEGIN
-- Logic
RETURN <variable>
END;
Scalar Functions
Single SELECT statement to return values
Similar to a view that accepts parameters

CREATE FUNCTION <name> (<parameters>)
RETURNS TABLE
AS
RETURN
-- SELECT statement
Inline Table Valued Functions
Returns a table, but can use complex logic

CREATE FUNCTION <name> (<parameters>)
RETURNS
<variableName> TABLE (<tableDefinition>)
AS
BEGIN
-- Logic
-- INSERT INTO <variableName>
RETURN
END;
Multi-Statement Table Valued Function
Apply Operators
Join tables to functions
Pass column as parameter into function
Options
CROSS APPLY
Similar to an inner join
OUTER APPLY
Similar to an inner join

SELECT ...
FROM <table>
{CROSS | OUTER} APPLY <function>(<parameter>);
Apply Operators