Scalar Function and Performance Issue

Performance tuning is one of the main tasks I do and there is always scope to learn new things in this area. Recently, I got a query which was using a Scalar function takes almost 4 min. When the scalar function is removed it came within one sec. I know scalar function inside a query is not optimized and may be because of that I very rarely use scalar function. But in this particular project, scalar function is very common and tuning query with scalar function is little tricky. Following are the suggestions I got from my MVP friends :-
(a) If possible create a view and join with the view: This was not possible for me since I had to pass the parameter.
(b) You may also create a Inline or multiline table function: I went with this route. I created a multiline function and I tell you the performance was improved manifold.

Sample code
The scalar function was something like returning appointments concatenated string for a given EmployeeID

Same logic in Multiline function which uses FOR XML PATH query

Create function fnConcatMultipleRowValuesToColumn ()
Returns @tab Table (EmpID int,con varchar(200))
As
Begin

DECLARE @Designation TABLE (EmpID INT, Code VARCHAR(50))

INSERT @Designation
SELECT 100, 'SR. Engr.' UNION ALL
SELECT 100, 'TL' UNION ALL
SELECT 100, 'PM' UNION ALL
SELECT 200, 'QA' UNION ALL
SELECT 200, 'SR QA' UNION ALL
SELECT 200, 'TL QA'UNION ALL
SELECT 300, 'DBA'UNION ALL
SELECT 300, 'SR. DBA'UNION ALL
SELECT 300, 'TL DBA'

-- Show the expected output
Insert @tab
SELECT DISTINCT s1.EmpID,
STUFF((SELECT DISTINCT TOP 100 PERCENT ',' + s2.CODE FROM @Designation AS s2
WHERE s2.EmpID = s1.EmpID ORDER BY ',' + s2.CODE FOR XML PATH('')), 1, 1, '') AS CODES
FROM @Designation AS s1
ORDER BY s1.EmpID

Return
End

Function Call
Select *From fnConcatMultipleRowValuesToColumn ()

Summary :
Avoid Scalar functions as far as possible. This was introduced in SQL Server 2000 and there may be certain scenario where it may be useful like encapsulation. But when you use scalar function within a select statement which returns many rows may trouble you.

Few good resources to refer
http://sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic/archive/2006/08/04/scalar-functions-inlining-and-performance-an-entertaining-title-for-a-boring-post.aspx
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic446308-360-1.aspx