SQL Question -- Stratifying Data

I was wondering what the best method is to allow a user to create a query which returns stratified data from continuous numeric data. For example, say I have a table with a value for age. I want to write a select statement which returns four age categories from all the possible age values in the table. As these categories will change frequently, I don't want to create and store an age strata column in the table.

I know that the DECODE function will allow me to categorize interval data, but I need a method to do the same for data which may be contained within a continuous range.

Thanks for your help Received on Thu Jul 31 1997 - 00:00:00 CDT