create a 'range' of dates/numbers?

Hi,

Is it possible to create a range of dates or numbers inside a query
without wrining in procedural language?
I am looking for something that creates some kind of 'temp table' inside
a query.
eg:
[wrong/fantasy syntax]
SELECT (1 to 3 step 1) as number;
desired output:
number
1
2
3

I have been looking through the manual, but cannot find anything. Maybe
it doesn't exist.

Thanks for your time.

Regards,
Erwin Moller