Inline UDF's in SQL Server

View or function, which should you use? Inline user defined functions are definitely interesting easy to learn how to use. Join Andy Novick for the quick intro that will have you creating these functions in no time at all!

Andrew Novick is a SQL Server consultant building business solutions with the Microsoft tools. His expertise in database design, T-SQL coding, SQL Server security, database performance tuning, and database partitioning can be a valuable asset to many projects. Andrew Novick also offers training and mentoring services to relevant projects. His writing on computing can be seen at his web site ht...

Virendra on 4/14/2009

Great.

Hope Schlais on 4/15/2009

Always comment as to performance scenario. Give a helpful performance tip.

Carla Wilson on 4/15/2009

I really like the idea of not only using a "view" with parameters, but also creating it dynamically inline. Very cool. I have to see what I can use it for right away.

Carla Wilson on 4/15/2009

Question: Is the Inline UDF available in SQL 2000, or just 2005+? This could be a work-around for not having CTEs in 2000.

anovick on 4/16/2009

Yes, Inline UDFs are available in SQL Server 2000.

Prasanna Prabhu on 5/1/2009

I wish you could have spoken about SYSTEM Defined functions too.

Caleb Bell on 7/16/2009

What are the performance differences between UDFs and views?

Dawit on 11/27/2009

love it

A Alagu Ganesh on 2/5/2010

good

suruchi on 4/22/2010

Little more explanation on topic

J Delilah Webb on 9/22/2010

Functions can return a variable rather than a table. The author stated that they only return tables.

anovick on 9/23/2010

Hi. That's inline functions and multi-statement functions return tables. Scalar functions return single values that can be assigned to a variable. There's a different video on them here: http://www.sqlshare.com/what-is-a-scalar-udf_606.aspx?searchid=129732 HTH Andy

shahwar on 5/25/2011

Excellent Stuff

Shaun Turner on 7/13/2011

My biggest concern with these is that you're explaining the differences between views and UDF's at the highest level only. You don't talk about how creating these shortcuts to code like this can either help or hinder performance of your queries if done (in)correctly.

Shane on 9/8/2011

Sometimes you just like to freshen up with the simple things every now and then. Thanks!

Amar0009 on 9/8/2011

Thanks. Very good and informative example.

domingo asuncion on 9/8/2011

Nice work. I Appreciated, Thank you. -Domingo Asuncion

FELIX on 9/8/2011

Good video!

Adam on 9/11/2011

Would be better to spend a little more time on the function definition. maybe a couple of extra examples

John O'Sullivan on 9/28/2011

excellent tip

Maurice Ivory on 2/16/2012

I need to watch this over again....