Using Database Plugin to get access to functions

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I am currently using the Database Plugin to gain access to functions that are not available in Bubble.

I signed up for a Postgresql db at http://www.elephantsql.com/

I then created a query to do string concatenation (for example - I realize you can do string concatenation in Bubble, but imagine a more complex example)

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I can then use that in my app:

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I would love to avoid the extra api calls, but for the moment, it is a good workaround. Thoughts? Anyone doing something different to gain access to basic functions?