Using a PLSQL Table with an IN clause

I am trying to do a pretty complicated SELECT using a dynamic IN clause. The list of numbers in that IN clause could be anywhere from 0 to 5000! My problem is *HOW* exactly to do it or more specifically, which data type to use.

I tried using a string of numbers seperated by commas but it doesn't work. In other words:

... TABLE.ID IN ('22,34,68')
fails. It's strange. With 2 numbers it gives no error. It doesn't return the correct result (I think it's looking in the WHOLE string at once, '22,34' instead of first '22' then '34') but with 3 it doesn't compile.

I then tried using VARRAYS but I read somewhere that it won't work. So I am now trying to use tables but I am a bit stuck as to how to use them with an IN clause. I am trying the following:

... AND (TABLE.ID IN (v_munisTable) ) AND

... and when I try to compile it gives me a 'disparity of types'
error. Somehow I need it to look INSIDE the table at each number contained within. How can I do this? I found a message from 1999 explaining how to do it:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=oracle+plsql+function+return+varray&hl=en&selm=2qEyOBItl2E6jpw6Dkl37g7py%2BwV%404ax.com&rnum=3

... but I can't make any sense out of it. Can someone throw me a
lifeline?

Many thanks in advance, or by western union, your choice. Bob Received on Mon Apr 01 2002 - 08:02:59 CST