Step 1) I define the function Header (the name, the params, the reurn, etc) Step 2) I code the function w/ the logic, etc It turns out, anyone wanting to call my function needs the Header so they know the name, parms, etc they do not need the full source of my funciton, they just need the name, params, etc ----------------------------------------- I can do the same in PL/SQL Procedures, this is called a Forword Declaration and I MUST use this if... Proc#1 calls Proc#2 and Proc#2 calls Proc#1 I have to define the Proc BEFORE it is called, so I can use a Forword Declaration NOTE: this will also happen when I create a Package