Compare the rigidity of this to :

http://beyondsql.blogspot.com/2007/06/dataphor-13-passing-table-as-parameter.html

In the thread:
comp.databases.ms-sqlserver
Jul 25, 6:52 am
'Pass Table as a parameter to a function'
httphttp://tinyurl.com/2j4dvy

Joe Celko makes the following comment on passing a table as a parameter to a procedure:

>> Is it possible to pass a table as a parameter to a function.  <<

'Please read a book, any book, on data modeling, and RDBMS.  A table is an entity or a relationship.  That would mean you have a magical,
super function that works on Squids, Automobiles, Britney Spears,
Geographical locations or anything in the whole of creation.'
 
But the super function, reusable functions, is precisely what modern
database developers should have at their disposable! And you can have it:
 
http://beyondsql.blogspot.com/2007/08/dataphor-creating-super-function.html

This is a very useful feature, we were looking for it in SQL Server for ages. Thank you for discussing it here Jacob.

Calvin,

You sir are someone who deserves a MySpace as opposed to those who should more approriately be on IJustTakeUpSpace. Your comments are noted and appreciated. Stay tuned, there is much, much more

best,
steve

P.S. A table as a 'variable' is a cornerstone of a 'relational' database
and is a distinguishing concept from an sql table/database. Perhaps this will help:
http://beyondsql.blogspot.com/2007/09/dataphor-all-tables-are-typed-variables.html

P.S. Celko is a sarcastic sob but we get along just fine

In the article foolwing sample is used:

   10 INSERT INTO @Items (ItemNumber, Qty)

   11     SELECT '11000', 100 UNION ALL

   12     SELECT '22000', 200 UNION ALL

   13     SELECT '33000', 300

   14 

As a small remark: I think we are now in the Katmai world, there we could use a simple INSERT like this:

INSERT INTO @Items (ItemNumber, Qty)

VALUES
('11000', 100),

('22000', 200),

('33000', 300)

;

Best regards,

Olaf

Passing a table to a stored procedure is an interesting idea.  I may have missed something, but doesn't this have an effect on the compiled execution plan for the stored procedure.