>>Sergey's solution is much simpler. Thanks anyway.
>>
>It is for the particular case. But I'm not 100% sure it's the correct one.
>
>How would the SQL determine the width of the column for UDF? With the suggested solution it leaves a room for ambiguity.
Either the UDF must itself ensure a fixed width (padr() for character data), or the SQL expression must do something similar. In my case, my function already ensured a fixed width.
>Also what if UDF returns values of different types?
I usually avoid this kind of design, but in that case, an iif() would have to be used in the SQL expression.
Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)