Toon, this does explain the difference in the results. If I 'set roles none' before running my queries, I get result consistent with the function. I am able to get the desired results using view ALL_CONS_COLUMNS provided that the current user has select privledges on the table that holds the constraint. Thank you, one and all for the help. Brett H. Quoting "Koppelaars, Toon" <T.Koppelaars@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>: > Brett, > > > >>The value returned inside a function is 27 while the query returns > 703. > > Embedded SQL inside stored modules (functions, procedures, triggers or > packages) will not use additional privileges that may have been acquired > through database roles. > > Does your session have roles set, when you run the query (outside the > function)? > > What happens if you do a 'set roles none', prior to running the query. > Is then returning 27 (as is the query when run inside the function)? > > Toon > > > -- > //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l > > > -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l