SQL Functions Programmer's Reference

Arie Jones is a senior database administrator for PerpetualTechnologies, Inc. (www.perptech.com). He holds a master'sdegree in physics from Indiana State University and also works asthe chief Web architect/DBA for the USPFO for Indiana. Arie'smain specialty is in developing .NET-based database solutions forthe government. He and his wife and family live outside ofIndianapolis, Indiana. Ryan Stephens is the president and CEO of PerpetualTechnologies, Inc. (www.perptech.com), an Indianapolis-based ITfirm specializing in database technologies. Ryan has been workingwith SQL and databases for 15 years and has held the positions ofproject manager, database administrator, and programmer/analyst.Ryan has been teaching database courses for local universitiessince 1997 and has authored several internationally published bookson topics such as database design, SQL, database architecture,database administration, and Oracle. Ryan enjoys discovering newways to optimize the use of technology to streamline businessoperations, as well as empowering others to do the same. Ryan andhis wife live in Indianapolis with their three children. Ronald R. Plew is vice president and CIO for PerpetualTechnologies, Inc. (www.perptech.com) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ronis a Certified Oracle Professional. He has coauthored severalinternationally published books on SQL and database technology. Ronis also an adjunct professor for Vincennes University in Indiana,where he teaches SQL and various database courses. Ron holds abachelor of science degree in business administration/managementfrom Indiana Institute of Technology out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.Ron recently retired from the Indiana Army National Guard, where heserved as a programmer/analyst. His hobbies include automobileracing, chess, golf, and collecting Indy 500 memorabilia. Ronresides in Indianapolis with his wife Linda. Bob Garrett is the software development manager atPerpetual Technologies, Inc. (www.perptech.com). Bob'slanguages of preference are Java, C++, and English. He hasextensive experience integrating applications with relationaldatabases. Bob has a degree in computer science and mathematicsfrom Purdue University, and lives with his wife and daughter nearIndianapolis. Alex Kriegel is a professional database systems analystwith a major manufacturing firm in Oregon. He has more than 10years of database experience working with Microsoft SQL Server,Oracle, DB2, Sybase, and PostgreSQL both as developer and DBA. Alexhas a bachelor of science degree in solid-state physics from StatePolytechnic Institute of Minsk, Belarus, and has earned theMicrosoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) accreditation. He isthe author of SQL Bible. Alex wrote the first draft ofapproximately two-thirds of this book.