How to generate a range of numbers between two numbers?

Question

I have two numbers as input from the user, like for example 1000 and 1050.

How do I generate the numbers between these two numbers, using

Answer 1

Here's what I came up with:

create or alter function dbo.fn_range(@start int, @end int)  returns table
return
with u2(n) as (
    select n 
    from (VALUES (0),(1),(2),(3)) v(n)
), 
u8(n) as (
    select
        x0.n | x1.n * 4 | x2.n * 16 | x3.n * 64 as n
    from u2 x0, u2 x1, u2 x2, u2 x3
)
select 
    @start + s.n as n
from (
    select
        x0.n | isnull(x1.n, 0) * 256 | isnull(x2.n, 0) * 65536 as n
    from u8 x0 
    left join u8 x1 on @end-@start > 256
    left join u8 x2 on @end-@start > 65536
) s
where s.n < @end - @start

Generates up to 2^24 values. Join conditions keep it fast for small values.