FUNCTION no_of_lines(table_name IN VARCHAR2) RETURN NUMBER AS
no_entries NUMBER(10);
sql_stmt VARCHAR2(500);
BEGIN
    sql_stmt:='SELECT count(*) FROM '||table_name;
    EXECUTE IMMEDIATE sql_stmt INTO no_entries;
    RETURN no_entries;
    EXCEPTION WHEN NO_DATA_FOUND THEN
    RETURN -1; --- 'Tabeleul nu este populat'
END no_of_lines;