## 36.3. Data Values in PL/Tcl

The argument values supplied to a PL/Tcl function's code are simply the input arguments converted to text form (just as if they had been displayed by a `SELECT` statement). Conversely, the `return` command will accept any string that is acceptable input format for the function's declared return type. So, the PL/Tcl programmer can manipulate data values as if they were just text.