ChrisM@Work (10/3/2012)
CELKO (10/2/2012)
...NO! We hate UDFs; they are not declarative, do not optimize ...Nonsense. The OP has explained that (s)he is a novice, Joe, and is willing to learn or wouldn't be contributing on this thread. Feeding new pupils with dogma is unethical and unprofessional. You're wrong about optimisation too - iTVF's are subbed into the plan just like a view. Look no further than the two articles by Paul White referenced in my signature block.
+1
Tom