Multi-Select from DUAL

Here's a hidden trick inside SQL .

,,

An easy way to generate records from scratch is using an easy CONNECT BY against DUAL.

e.g. you need a Forms-LOV which shows the last 12 months.
So you have to create a record-group-select which gives you exactly 12 records. After that you combine it with sysdate. Let's see:

 SELECT Level LVL
   FROM Dual
CONNECT BY Level <= 12;

then you integrate the sysdate into the statement:

 SELECT add_months (trunc (sysdate, 'MM'), -1*Level) Month
   FROM Dual
CONNECT BY Level <= 12;    ,,

Thanks to

GERD VOLBERG