Arie Jones & Ryan K. Stephens 
SQL Functions Programmer’s Reference 

* Gives programmers two-in-one coverage, with both a ‘how-to’ on
SQL functions and a complete SQL functions reference

* SQL is the standard language for database queries; this book’s
advanced coverage helps programmers write their own SQL
functions

* Covers both the internationally standardized SQL 99 functions
and the hundreds of additional functions introduced by vendors,
including the subtle variations required to successfully migrate or
interoperate between vendor products

* Covers the latest versions of the major relational database
management system (RDMS) applications: Microsoft SQL Server,
Oracle, IBM DB2, and My SQL

Table of Content

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Chapter 1: Exploring Popular SQL Implementations.

Chapter 2: Functions: Concept and Architecture.

Chapter 3: Comparison of Built-in SQL Functions by Vendor.

Chapter 4: SQL Procedural Extensions and User-Defined
Functions.

Chapter 5: Common ANSI SQL Functions.

Chapter 6: Oracle SQL Functions.

Chapter 7: IBM DB2 Universal Database (UDB) SQL Functions.

Chapter 8: Microsoft SQL Server Functions.

Chapter 9: Sybase ASE SQL Built-In Functions.

Chapter 10: My SQL Functions.

Chapter 11: Postgre SQL Functions.

Chapter 12: ANSI SQL User-Defined Functions.

Chapter 13: Creating User-Defined Functions in Oracle.

Chapter 14: Creating User-Defined Functions with IBM DB2
UDB.

Chapter 15: Creating User-Defined Functions Using Microsoft SQL
Server.

Chapter 16: Creating User-Defined Functions in Sybase SQL.

Chapter 17: Creating User-Defined Functions in My SQL.

Chapter 18: Creating User-Defined Functions in Postgre SQL.

Chapter 19: Reporting and Ad Hoc Queries.

Chapter 20: Using Functions for Migrating Data.

Chapter 21: Using Functions to Feed a Data Warehouse.

Chapter 22: Embedded Functions and Advanced Uses.

Chapter 23: Generating SQL with SQL and SQL Functions.

Chapter 24: SQL Functions in an Application.

Chapter 25: Empowering the Query with Functions and Views.

Chapter 26: Understanding the Impact of SQL Functions on Query
and Database Performance.

Chapter 27: Useful Queries from the System Catalog.

Appendix A: Built-in Function Cross-Reference Table.

Appendix B: ANSI and Vendor Keywords.

Appendix C: ANSI and Vendor Data Types.

Appendix D: Database Permissions by Vendor.

Appendix E: ODBC and Stored Procedures and Functions.

Appendix F: JDBC and Stored Procedures/Functions.

Glossary.

Index.

About the author

Arie Jones is a senior database administrator for Perpetual
Technologies, Inc. (www.perptech.com). He holds a master’s
degree in physics from Indiana State University and also works as
the chief Web architect/DBA for the USPFO for Indiana. Arie’s
main specialty is in developing .NET-based database solutions for
the government. He and his wife and family live outside of
Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ryan Stephens is the president and CEO of Perpetual
Technologies, Inc. (www.perptech.com), an Indianapolis-based IT
firm specializing in database technologies. Ryan has been working
with SQL and databases for 15 years and has held the positions of
project manager, database administrator, and programmer/analyst.
Ryan has been teaching database courses for local universities
since 1997 and has authored several internationally published books
on topics such as database design, SQL, database architecture,
database administration, and Oracle. Ryan enjoys discovering new
ways to optimize the use of technology to streamline business
operations, as well as empowering others to do the same. Ryan and
his wife live in Indianapolis with their three children.

Ronald R. Plew is vice president and CIO for Perpetual
Technologies, Inc. (www.perptech.com) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ron
is a Certified Oracle Professional. He has coauthored several
internationally published books on SQL and database technology. Ron
is also an adjunct professor for Vincennes University in Indiana,
where he teaches SQL and various database courses. Ron holds a
bachelor of science degree in business administration/management
from Indiana Institute of Technology out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Ron recently retired from the Indiana Army National Guard, where he
served as a programmer/analyst. His hobbies include automobile
racing, chess, golf, and collecting Indy 500 memorabilia. Ron
resides in Indianapolis with his wife Linda.

Bob Garrett is the software development manager at
Perpetual Technologies, Inc. (www.perptech.com). Bob’s
languages of preference are Java, C++, and English. He has
extensive experience integrating applications with relational
databases. Bob has a degree in computer science and mathematics
from Purdue University, and lives with his wife and daughter near
Indianapolis.

Alex Kriegel is a professional database systems analyst
with a major manufacturing firm in Oregon. He has more than 10
years of database experience working with Microsoft SQL Server,
Oracle, DB2, Sybase, and Postgre SQL both as developer and DBA. Alex
has a bachelor of science degree in solid-state physics from State
Polytechnic Institute of Minsk, Belarus, and has earned the
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) accreditation. He is
the author of SQL Bible. Alex wrote the first draft of
approximately two-thirds of this book.