There is a trick way to allow a function (procedure) take a rowset (a.k.a. table) as an incoming parameter.

Let's say I had a procedure that I wanted to accept a...

These are part of DTS ("dt_" = data transformation...). They are managed by the system. I would leave them alone.

(I haven't researched into whether it is safe or not to...

This is like the request I got once to "make all the databases available at all the company's sites such that if any go down all the rest still operate,...

Dynamic SQL anywhere -- especially triggers -- is less than optimal. Rather than make a server-side trigger generic, I would suggest writing a "code-generator" script that will generate a "strongly...

You are right that the design is questionable. However, technically it's not a normalization issue. (However, you can have fully normalized designs that still have many many issues.)

I would classify...

That's good to know. Thanks.

Although it does seem a bit of an odd choice. It will be fun seeing a "practical" example where it's useful.

...

I should have mentioned earlier: I...

Carl, you've hit upon one of my biggest pet peeves with SQL Server and other products... so-called "relational" systems that do not allow decent manipulation of relational variables (a.k.a. tables).

I...

Agreed. This is a moronic request from developers and demonstrates a *complete and utter* non-understanding of database fundamentals.

You should push back on the request and request your company hire more...

Two comments on prior posts:

a. Try to avoid "where somefunction(x) = somevalue." (E.g., do not use the "isnull(column,'')" suggestion. That pattern in where clauses often causes SQL Server to evaluate...

UDFs (a.k.a. "cursors in sheep's clothing"!) should be used with caution for any SELECT that returns more than a few results.

If SQL cannot figure how to make it "inline" --...

That's overly complicating the problem. Simply revise the original CASE suggestion (the best approach) to:

CASE WHEN @EmployeePhone is NULL THEN '' ELSE '<EmployeePhone>' + @EmployeePhone + '</EmployeePhone>' END

(Don't...

quote:

---

...where relational integrity is secondary to transactional integrity and capacity/performance is critical. In correctly constructed transactional systems the business object and...