How many types of UDF are there?

Hi,
Please help me to know this question.
How many types of UDF are in SQL SERVER 2000?
Please tell me if anybody knows the answer.
Thanks in advance,
JoydeepDepending on how you define "type", the answer could range between zero and infinity. How do you define UDF "type" in this question?

This sounds like a homework question. If so, please either post the original assignment (verbatim, not your summary of it), or a link to an online copy of the assignment if it exists.

-PatP|||hi PatP,
thats not a homework question.I was asked this question in an interview?They asked me to name the 3 different types of UDF in SQL SERVER 2000.But I knew User defined function has no different types but the return type of UDF can vary?I thought may be there are different types of UDF that I donot know?At home,I searched the books but was in vain.Thats why I post this question in the forum.
I think now its a bit clear for you to understand.
Thanks!!
Joydeep|||Scalar, table, and in-line. That is probably the answer they are looking for. Now, check Books Online and learn what the definitions mean, which is much more valuable knowledge.|||Ok, since you don't have the specification or the ability to ask for clarification, we'll need to work from my assumptions. I've got an answer, it is logically consistent (at least within my mind), but there is no guarantee that it is the answer the original writer was trying to get from you.

You need to really "think outside the box" for this one. Consider a marginal or worse SQL user, trying to compose questions that they feel will sound out the technical depth of a job candidate. They're looking for new features, or things that suprised them, rather than understanding what is useful/important in using the product, and they have no history with the product to understand its evolution.

Given that much background, review the documentation for CREATE FUNCTION (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/tsqlref/ts_create_7r1l.asp) and the three answers will jump off the page at you.

Just as an observation, if my analysis makes sense to you, be VERY thankful that you did not get that job. It would have been a trip to oblivion because you would have had an endless supply of work, much of it self-inflicted by the management team endlessly playing with "new toys" that they don't understand, then expecting you to clean up the carnage. In a "prior life" at another job, I've been there, done that, and still have the blood-stained tee-shirt to prove it.

-PatP|||Thanks a ton to u both.
Joydeep|||Consider a marginal or worse SQL user, trying to compose questions that they feel will sound out the technical depth of a job candidate. They're looking for new features, or things that suprised them, rather than understanding what is useful/important in using the product, and they have no history with the product to understand its evolution.Oh, come on, Pat! I often ask that very same quesiton of candidates. It tells me whether they are familiar with SQL programming, not just server administration, and as a new feature (in 2000, anyway), it gave me an idea of how up-to-date their knowledge was. Though I usually just asked for the "two" types of UDF (scalar vs. table).|||Lord knows I've made enough bad assumptions about what would be clear to folks, but I always clarify when I realize that I've failed to communicate. If somebody is applying here and I get a "deer in the headlights" look on what I presume to be a reasonable question, I always make sure they have a chance to ask for clarification, and will sometimes offer one unsolicited.

I've had way too many instances where someone creates a "hiring survey" list of questions, then passes that list to someone in HR (who is barely able to read technology at that level), for them to use as a "litmus test" on new applicants.

Based on Rudra's questions, I assume that they had no idea what the question meant, and neither did the person asking the question. I don't know any of the languages from that part of the world, although I know people that speak them natively... Those languages don't deal with database topics well, so they often "borrow" English words and use them in linguistically interesting ways in order to make the discussion possible. I can only imagine what would happen when someone from HR that didn't already have a good command of the database subject tried to formulate a reasonable script of questions... I think that it could be several steps worse than awful!

-PatP|||Hi PAtP,
I think uor assumptions r true for this part of the world also.
As you know India is growing to be the super power in Software Development hence the average IT knowledge is greater in this part .But sometimes HR people tries to do that ,I mean pretends to pose as IT professionals.In mine case,it was I think a HR who was asking question from a set of questionaires.Ok Thanks for your words.
Thanks you!!
Joydeep|||I like in-line when the ponds are not frozen...|||As you know India is growing to be the super power in Software Development hence the average IT knowledge is greater in this part .

Well it wouldn't appear so now, would it.

What movie was that from...damn that's gonna bug me...|||Well it wouldn't appear so now, would it.

What movie was that from...damn that's gonna bug me...That comment also did a fair job of frostin' MY grandma's preserves :fume:

While it's not fair to generalize in rebuttal to a generalization, it sure ain't MY experience, and I've done my share of interaction with offshored folks, as well as worked with numerous "imports".

Comments like that greatly furrow my brow.|||TOP GUN, it was TOP GUN

"Lieutenant, the Pentagon see's to it that I know a lot more than you."

"Well it sure don't seem that way in this case maam, now does it"

"so where did you see the mig..."

"I came up through the clouds, and he was in my 6..."

"Well if he was directly below you, had could you see him?"

"Because I was inverted"

"(Cough...bullshit)"

I still love that movie.....|||TOP GUN, it was TOP GUN

"Lieutenant, the Pentagon see's to it that I know a lot more than you."

"Well it sure don't seem that way in this case maam, now does it"

"so where did you see the mig..."

"I came up through the clouds, and he was in my 6..."

"Well if he was directly below you, had could you see him?"

"Because I was inverted"

"(Cough...bullshit)"

I still love that movie.....

Ok Man, I want to ask you something,do u ever been in India?
If not,you just can't realize what I mean.First you better know the land and then comment on that.I think you have mistaken between Land and Databases.
OK, I invite you to visit here then I feel I can change your opinion.
If you are an American, I think you will like this place.And I don't know what idea you all hold about India.I fear thats not true.
The world is changing rapidly,just move your eyes a bit from these forums and databases.
I have also seen "Tom Cruise" block bluster "Top Gun",but thats completely irrelevant to this issue.
It would be better to comment on issues rather than individuals, and it would be better for the forum and everybody.Isn't it?We expect good suggestions from you but not this.
Joydeep|||I hear more complaints about off shored code than anything. of course I have enough problems with the development being done within 100 feet of me.|||It would be better to comment on issues rather than individuals, and it would be better for the forum and everybody.Isn't it?We expect good suggestions from you but not this.
Joydeep

Originally Posted by rudra
As you know India is growing to be the super power in Software Development hence the average IT knowledge is greater in this part.
Physician, Heal thyself.

You don't get to throw a stone like that and not expect to get a couple lobbed in your direction in response.

I have not been to india. Have no plans to go. Don't NEED to go to have an opinion on this subject based on the fairly extensive offshore work I have been involved with and coordinated. Nor to assess the general development abilities of the myriad contractors I have worked with from that country.

As others have said, and as I have myself stated previously, the same can be said of the local crop of development folks. In my somewhat wide experience, I have seen no evidence supporting the truth of your generalization. Perhaps you didn't mean it as a generalization, but mi perro, that IS the way it came across. And BTW, have you also travelled anywhere but India to work with the developers you view as "less than"? As you said, perhaps you should not make comments about places that you have not been.

I'm not looking for a flame war here ;) Just not convinced in any way that your statement is one of fact.

'nuff said.|||Physician, Heal thyself.

have you also travelled anywhere but India to work with the developers you view as "less than"?

Hey TallCowboy0614,
:D :D Well ,we Indian love to invite people to our country.We never show anybody down to make ourselves big.
You have mistaken me.
I think you have heard about Swami Vivekanada who went to America to show the world what is brotherhood.So we never show other down to prove ourseles big.:)
I prefer positive thinking and you need not have to worry my dear friend,bcoz if I tell something its not going to be true unless the reality is so.If you don't believe in some facts you have the right to do so.There is nothing harm in it.And I think we should respect each others belief...
But I think you have gone through some bitter experience with Indians.But believe me,if you generalise it you are doing a mistake.
There are many things in heaven and India which are dreamt off in your database.:D
Be cool,don't get excited by some mere words.:) its makes no difference unless they are happening.So why are we wasting our sweet time in writing post to convince each other.
Cheer up TallCowboy0614,I feel your next post should contain some friendly database thoughts and not .......:D
Thanks!!
Rudra|||Yes, India is becoming a sofware development "superpower", but as of yet the average skill level in India and neighboring countries does not approach the skills and experience of the western nations.

Yet.

As evidence, you will see that most of the time when an easterner posts on this or other forums they are asking a question, not providing an answer. And very often the questions are pretty basic.

Enigma, of course, is an exception and is very knowledgeable and contributes a lot to the forum.

The reason why software development is moving to India is because the labor is so cheap, but honestly part of that is getting what you pay for. The experience is not there yet to justify higher rates. As the actual value of their services increases, I think their pay rates will rise commensurate and the migration will slow down. DBA Economics 101.|||Yes, India is becoming a sofware development "superpower", but as of yet the average skill level in India and neighboring countries does not approach the skills and experience of the western nations.

Yet.

As evidence, you will see that most of the time when an easterner posts on this or other forums they are asking a question, not providing an answer. And very often the questions are pretty basic.

Enigma, of course, is an exception and is very knowledgeable and contributes a lot to the forum.

The reason why software development is moving to India is because the labor is so cheap, but honestly part of that is getting what you pay for. The experience is not there yet to justify higher rates. As the actual value of their services increases, I think their pay rates will rise commensurate and the migration will slow down. DBA Economics 101.

Hi,
Thanks once again for those words.You are absolutely right....this post is the most perfect one to dissolve all issues.
I am really interested to know more things from you in future.You sounds so cool and I think that's due to the right blend of knowledge and experience.You said the whole thing so easily in a nut shell.Really Great!!:)
With my all respect and regards to you,
Joydeep|||Hmmm...it's nice to see that agreement from Joydeep, and I agree with you, OhGreatBlindOne.

But that agreement tells me that I completely missed the intent of the original post ;) (or someone has folded more easily than I expected LOL)

Oh well, all's well that ends well...|||Oh, I is so cool. Yeah, baby. :cool:|||or someone has folded more easily than I expected LOL)

"Folded" no way man,I am ready TallCowboy0614, to start it again :D :D :p
Joydeep|||As evidence, you will see that most of the time when an easterner posts on this or other forums they are asking a question, not providing an answer. And very often the questions are pretty basic.


Dont say that blindly Blindman.There are people providing answer from East in this forum and other forum too.|||Yeah! I am on the East Coast, and I try to provide answers wherever I can.....oh, wait. ;-)|||Dont say that blindly Blindman.There are people providing answer from East in this forum and other forum too.While my opinion sits closer to yours than it does to Blindman's in this case, I can understand his point of view too.

Every few years, a new group/country/whatever is "discovered" that will be the savior of IT. A while ago it was East Germany, then the states of what once were the USSR, currently it is central Asia (India, Pakistan, etc), and in a few years it will be China. The basic theme behind all of these revelations is that a ready supply of comparitively cheap technology workers is the solution to all of our problems...

Historically, that hasn't been the case. The cultural/communications issues add one more factor to an already complex situation (getting software created and managed for hire). While many of the people mean well, and try desperately to do a good job, without understanding many of the subtle cultural issues, they are sorely handicapped. Once businesses realize this, they often return to their original labor pool (insourcing) to reduce the real cost of solutions to their problems.

While each group brings many good things to the table, none of them have been the "digital messiah" they were originally proclaimed to be... They are good people, but they are still just people. I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe there is an undiscovered "super race" of programmers/dbas/administrators lying untapped here on earth. There are plenty of folks that are presently under-utilized, but that is a completely different problem in my mind.

I don't believe there is any group that is a "magic bullet" for curing the IT problems we currently have. While there are talented individuals world-wide, they are just that... Talented individuals. I've seen nothing to make me think that Americans, Canadians, Europeans (Eastern, Western, or Other), Asians (again Eastern, Western, or Other) have any inherant natural advantage. Some folks are willing to work harder than others, some are more talented than others, but those are differences within people, not groups.

-PatP|||I still hold, from observation, that there are not many easterners who regularly provide answers on the forum, and they are far outnumbered by those asking very basic "beginner" level questions. Somebody could do some stats and prove me wrong though, and I also acknowledge that the language factor contributes as well. In all fairness, there are not many Hindi websites I post to...|||Case in point; another "please do my work for me for free" request.

http://www.dbforums.com/showthread.php?t=1212052|||Case in point; another "please do my work for me for free" request.

http://www.dbforums.com/showthread.php?t=1212052

wow! he started picking case by case.And made his opinion.Forums are not for asking advance Qs.I think its insane.|||Sorry. Can't seem to parse that:
wow! he started picking case by case.And made his opinion.Forums are not for asking advance Qs.I think its insane.

Server: Msg 170, Level 15, State 1, Line 1
Line 1: Incorrect syntax near '!'.|||*LOL* Excellent post, Pat! My feelings exactly. No generalizations based on locale can be made in such discussions (unless you are talking about empirical insight such as Blindman's relating specifically to sites such as this).

I also think that to suggest that forums are not for advanced topics is just plain ridiculous :D I think many posts could be avoided by reading BOL, myself included, but that doesn't mean that the less complex questions should not be asked either (such as the amusing "can someone do my (home)work for me?" ones such as that referenced by TheBlindOne).

And rudra, you may have to be a poker player to understand fully, but yeah, that was a fold. Nothing wrong with a fold, mind you...utilized where necessary it is one of the most prudent plays one can make.

This is an amusing, thought provoking thread (not so much in equal measure, mind you) - I laughed, I cried, it changed my life.|||wow! he started picking case by case.And made his opinion.Forums are not for asking advance Qs.I think its insane.Could you kind of revisit this post? I couldn't make any sense of it, and apparently I'm not the only one.

I'd like to know what you meant, but I can't get there from this posting.

-PatP|||Some folks are willing to work harder than others, some are more talented than others, but those are differences within people, not groups.
-PatP
Hi PatP,
I think this is the best one .And I am sure Blindman will agree with me.Thats the right work culture,that should be ...no nations no race only humans...really great thought.The humans need a few bunch of guys like you.You have a vision , a noble one and thats should be the vision of next X-gen.No more discrimination of people...only one race thats human...
Wow!!I am still thinking.......:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Great!!!!!
Joydeep

But I haven't seen such a topple like the one TallCowboy0614 did.:D :D
My Dear TallCowboy0614,you are a great flipper....:D :p :p|||Does the blindman have vision too?|||Does the blindman have vision too?
You are just cool,and I know that you have the insight to look through the future.And I know that u also believe the same...One nation one race...one world...how nice:) :) Isn't it?
You have visited Kolkata,India and I am sure that u have visited many places around the world.Your vision is reflected in your writings.No way to deny them...You have the experience of east and west and so you are the one who can define it.
Well,we are listening......:)
Joydeep|||"I'd like to teach the world to sing,
In perfect harmony
I'd like to buy the world a Coke
And keep it company ..."

;)|||You have the experience of east and west and so you are the one who can define it. I'm Batman!|||But I haven't seen such a topple like the one TallCowboy0614 did.:D :D
My Dear TallCowboy0614,you are a great flipper....:D :p :pTopple? I did a topple? Why, I had no idea I even knew how to topple. Though I HAVE done a bit of cow tippin', but I don't think we're on that page here.

I DO lay claim to being a proficient "flipper" though. I practice each morning and evening during my 1.5 hour commutes. Again, not sure that's the page you were on, but I'm tryin'

Now, for my next trick, I will attempt a triple-flipper-topple without landing on my flippin' tushie.|||Hi PatP,
a noble one and thats should be the vision of next X-gen

What?

Ohhh, I thought he called Pat the next Generation...only if there's a gaurdian of forever, me thinks...|||"I'd like to teach the world to sing,
In perfect harmony
I'd like to buy the world a Coke
And keep it company ..."

;)*ROFLMFAO* You call it spirited song, I call it "folding"...but it is what it is :)|||You have visited Kolkata,India and I am sure that u have visited many places around the world.Your vision is reflected in your writings.

Yes, he was an airborne partical in one of previous lives...|||I had a vision in my writings once, but it went away about 8 hours after the last of the Patrón did. :(

I sure wish I hadn't sent that letter though, in retrospect. She was Pi-ISSsed.|||What?

Ohhh, I thought he called Pat the next Generation...only if there's a gaurdian of forever, me thinks...
Hi Brett,
you seemed to be the silence.........then an online punch...again silence...........again an online punch...nice go:D ;)
Joydeep|||Hi Brett,
you seemed to be the silence.........then an online punch...again silence...........again an online punch...nice go:D ;)
Joydeep
I too, have always thought of Brett as the "silent but punchy" type. ;)|||ok ok hold on...Have u noticed guys? This thread is going to be one of the longest thread on this forum and the issue is not "database":D :D
Interesting......;) how the topic flows......Ummm:D|||Yes, he was an airborne partical in one of previous lives...Well, I HAVE been to Kolkata. Of course, back then it was spelled "Calcutta".
Might I suggest we move this nonsense to the Yak Corral, which has been dead of late?|||to the Yak Corral, which has been dead of late?
:D :D :D :p :D :p :D :D :D Oh god !!:p|||Could you kind of revisit this post? I couldn't make any sense of it, and apparently I'm not the only one.

I'd like to know what you meant, but I can't get there from this posting.

-PatP

Read blindman's post just above my pervious post.I hope u will understand.|||Read blindman's post just above my pervious post.I hope u will understand.Not even so much as a clue. Sorry. I'd like to understand, but I don't even have a clue.

-PatP|||Hey Guys,
Would u help me to understand this simple question?
What are the common things between a Philosopher and a DBA ? Are they really smart or they pretend to be?
Any guess?
Joydeep|||Diogenes would be quite at home around here, I bet.|||All philosophy questions should be directed to Thrasymachus.
But in my opinion the primary difference between a DBA and a philospher is that a DBA has practical, useful knowledge.

I guess you could say the primary question a DBA asks is "How big is your database?" The primary question a philopher asks is "Would you like to biggie-size your fries?"|||*ROFLMFAO* @. biggie-size fries|||ok ok hold on...Have u noticed guys? This thread is going to be one of the longest thread on this forum and the issue is not "database":D :D
Interesting......;) how the topic flows......Ummm:D

Not even close

http://www.dbforums.com/showthread.php?p=4527397&posted=1#post4527397

COme have a visit...and much post count did we lose when the database crashed?

Or was that when we crashed the database?|||Not even close

http://www.dbforums.com/showthread.php?p=4527397&posted=1#post4527397

hey Brett,
I mean to say in SQL SERVER forum not Chit chat.
"Yak Corral " database without normalisation...Its already dead..
last seen its life on dec,2004...:D :D
Well,seen your reputation in moving threads silently...u the punchy type..:D :D
Joydeep