Can i send table_name and field_name as function arguments.

Question

hi,
i need to get the maximum column value for a field in the required table at run time. i need to send the table name as a parameter to the function.
my code is,
create or replace function (tname in varchar2, fldname in varchar2)
is
val number,
begin
select max(fldname) into val from tname;
end;
but its not working.
and i tried with this,
select max(<fldname>) into val from <tname>;
select max(:fldname) into val from :tname;
both of these not working.
i need ur suggestions.
regards
pavan.

Answer 1

SQL> create or replace function maxval(
  2    table_name in varchar2, col_name in varchar2)
  3    return number is
  4  m number;
  5  begin
  6   execute immediate 'select max('||col_name||') from '||table_name into m;
  7     return m;
  8   end;
  9   /
Function created.
Elapsed: 00:00:00.04
SQL> select maxval('EMP','SAL') from dual;
MAXVAL('EMP','SAL')
               5000
Elapsed: 00:00:00.00