Query returning exact number of rows

Question

I have a table that stores two foreign keys, implementing a n:m relationship.

One of them points to a person (subject), the other one to a specific item.

Answer 1

Consider this largely simplified version of your plpgsql function. Should work in PostgreSQL 8.3:

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION x.fnk_abonemento_nariai(_prm_item integer)
  RETURNS SETOF subject_items AS
$BODY$
DECLARE
    _kiek    integer :=  num_records    -- get number at declaration time
                         FROM subjekto_abonementai WHERE num_id = _prm_item;
    _counter integer;
BEGIN

RETURN QUERY                            -- get the records that actualy exist
SELECT sub_item, sal_subject
FROM   sal_subject 
WHERE  sub_item = prm_item;

GET DIAGNOSTICS _counter = ROW_COUNT;   -- save number of returned rows.

RETURN QUERY
SELECT NULL, NULL                       -- fill the rest with null values
FROM   generate_series(_counter + 1, _kiek);

END;
$BODY$ LANGUAGE plpgsql VOLATILE STRICT;

Details about plpgsql in the manual (link to version 8.3).