How Does SQL Server Substring Function Work? A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to master the Sql Server Substring Function for efficient data manipulation on your rental server? The SQL Server substring function is a powerful tool that extracts a portion of a string, enabling you to refine and analyze data effectively. This comprehensive guide from rental-server.net will walk you through everything you need to know, from basic syntax to advanced applications, ensuring you can leverage this function to its full potential.

1. What is the SQL Server Substring Function and Why is it Important?

The SQL Server SUBSTRING function extracts a specific part of a string. It is important because it allows you to manipulate text data, extract relevant information, and clean up data for analysis, reporting, and application development. With the rise of data-driven decision-making, mastering string manipulation techniques like SUBSTRING is crucial for database professionals and developers alike.

1.1 Why Use the SQL Server Substring Function?

Data Extraction: Extract specific parts of strings, such as area codes from phone numbers or product codes from descriptions.
Data Validation: Validate data by checking specific parts of a string against predefined formats.
Data Transformation: Transform data by modifying strings, such as changing date formats or standardizing text.
Reporting: Create more readable reports by extracting and formatting key information from text fields.
Application Development: Enhance application functionality by manipulating data strings to fit specific requirements.

1.2 What are the Benefits of Using the SQL Server Substring Function?

Precision: Precisely extract the exact characters you need.
Flexibility: Adapt to various string manipulation needs.
Efficiency: Improve query performance by focusing on relevant data segments.
Readability: Make SQL queries more understandable and maintainable.

2. What is the Syntax of the SQL Server Substring Function?

The basic syntax of the SUBSTRING function is:

SUBSTRING ( expression, start, length )

expression: The string from which to extract the substring. This can be a column name, a string literal, or another expression that results in a string.
start: An integer that specifies the starting position of the substring. The first character in the string is position 1.
length: An integer that specifies the number of characters to extract.

3. Understanding the Arguments of the SQL Server Substring Function?

To effectively use the SUBSTRING function, understanding its arguments is crucial.

3.1 Expression

The expression argument is the string from which you want to extract a substring. This can be any valid SQL Server expression that evaluates to a character or binary string. Common types include VARCHAR, NVARCHAR, TEXT, NTEXT, BINARY, and VARBINARY.

Example:

SELECT SUBSTRING('Hello World', 1, 5); -- Returns 'Hello'

3.2 Start

The start argument specifies the position at which the substring begins. It’s an integer value, and the first character of the string is considered position 1.

If start is less than 1, the substring begins at the first character of the expression.
If start is greater than the length of the expression, an empty string is returned.

Example:

SELECT SUBSTRING('Hello World', 7, 5); -- Returns 'World'
SELECT SUBSTRING('Hello World', -2, 5); -- Returns 'Hello' (starts from 1)
SELECT SUBSTRING('Hello World', 15, 5); -- Returns '' (empty string)

3.3 Length

The length argument specifies the number of characters to include in the substring. It’s a positive integer.

If length is negative, SQL Server will throw an error.
If the sum of start and length exceeds the length of the expression, the substring will include all characters from the start position to the end of the expression.

Example:

SELECT SUBSTRING('Hello World', 7, 10); -- Returns 'World'
SELECT SUBSTRING('Hello World', 1, 2); -- Returns 'He'

4. How to Use SQL Server Substring Function with Different Data Types?

The SUBSTRING function can be used with various data types, including character, binary, text, and image data.

4.1 Using SUBSTRING with Character Data

Character data types include CHAR, VARCHAR, NCHAR, and NVARCHAR.

Example: Extracting the first name from a full name.

DECLARE @FullName VARCHAR(100) = 'John Doe';
SELECT SUBSTRING(@FullName, 1, CHARINDEX(' ', @FullName) - 1) AS FirstName; -- Returns 'John'

4.2 Using SUBSTRING with Binary Data

Binary data types include BINARY, VARBINARY, and IMAGE. When working with binary data, start and length are specified in bytes.

Example: Extracting a portion of binary data.

DECLARE @BinaryData VARBINARY(MAX) = 0x48656C6C6F20576F726C64; -- 'Hello World' in Hex
SELECT SUBSTRING(@BinaryData, 1, 5); -- Returns 0x48656C6C6F ('Hello' in Hex)

4.3 Using SUBSTRING with Text Data

Text data types include TEXT and NTEXT. Note that TEXT and NTEXT are deprecated, and it’s recommended to use VARCHAR(MAX) and NVARCHAR(MAX) instead.

Example: Extracting a portion of text data.

DECLARE @TextData VARCHAR(MAX) = 'This is a long text string.';
SELECT SUBSTRING(@TextData, 1, 20); -- Returns 'This is a long text'

5. Practical Examples of the SQL Server Substring Function

Let’s dive into practical examples to illustrate the power and flexibility of the SUBSTRING function.

5.1 Extracting Initials from a Full Name

Scenario: You have a table with a FullName column, and you need to extract the initials for each name.

CREATE TABLE Employees (
    EmployeeID INT PRIMARY KEY,
    FullName VARCHAR(100)
);

INSERT INTO Employees (EmployeeID, FullName) VALUES
(1, 'John Doe'),
(2, 'Jane Smith'),
(3, 'Robert Williams');

SELECT
    EmployeeID,
    FullName,
    LEFT(SUBSTRING(FullName, 1, CHARINDEX(' ', FullName) - 1), 1) +
    LEFT(SUBSTRING(FullName, CHARINDEX(' ', FullName) + 1, LEN(FullName)), 1) AS Initials
FROM Employees;

Explanation:
- The query uses SUBSTRING to extract the first name and last name.
- The LEFT function is then used to get the first character of each name.
- The initials are concatenated together.

5.2 Extracting a Date Part from a String

Scenario: You have a column with dates stored as strings in the format YYYYMMDD, and you need to extract the year.
```
CREATE TABLE Dates (
    DateString VARCHAR(8)
);

INSERT INTO Dates (DateString) VALUES
('20231026'),
('20240115'),
('20231231');

SELECT
    DateString,
    SUBSTRING(DateString, 1, 4) AS Year
FROM Dates;
```
- Explanation:
  - The query uses SUBSTRING to extract the first four characters, representing the year.

5.3 Masking Sensitive Data

Scenario: You need to mask part of an email address for security reasons.
```
DECLARE @Email VARCHAR(100) = '[email protected]';

SELECT
    @Email AS OriginalEmail,
    STUFF(@Email, 3, CHARINDEX('@', @Email) - 3, REPLICATE('*', CHARINDEX('@', @Email) - 3)) AS MaskedEmail;
```
- Explanation:
  - The query uses CHARINDEX to find the position of the @ symbol.
  - STUFF is used to replace the characters between the 3rd position and the @ symbol with asterisks.

5.4 Parsing Delimited Strings

Scenario: You have a string with comma-separated values, and you need to extract the individual values.

DECLARE @DelimitedString VARCHAR(200) = 'value1,value2,value3,value4';

SELECT
    value
FROM
(
    SELECT
        SUBSTRING(@DelimitedString, number, CHARINDEX(',', @DelimitedString + ',', number) - number) AS value,
        number
    FROM master.dbo.spt_values
    WHERE
        type = 'P' AND
        number BETWEEN 1 AND LEN(@DelimitedString) AND
        SUBSTRING(',' + @DelimitedString, number, 1) = ','
) AS Substrings
WHERE
    value != '';

Explanation:
- This query uses a combination of SUBSTRING, CHARINDEX, and a numbers table (spt_values) to split the delimited string into individual values.

6. Advanced Techniques Using the SQL Server Substring Function

To further enhance your skills with the SUBSTRING function, consider these advanced techniques.

6.1 Combining SUBSTRING with Other String Functions

Combining SUBSTRING with other string functions like LEFT, RIGHT, CHARINDEX, and LEN can provide more powerful data manipulation capabilities.

Example: Extracting the file name from a full file path.
```
DECLARE @FilePath VARCHAR(200) = 'C:Program FilesMyApplicationdata.txt';

SELECT
    @FilePath AS OriginalFilePath,
    RIGHT(@FilePath, LEN(@FilePath) - CHARINDEX('', REVERSE(@FilePath)) + 1) AS FileName;
```
- Explanation:
  - REVERSE is used to reverse the file path.
  - CHARINDEX is used to find the position of the last backslash.
  - RIGHT is used to extract the file name.

6.2 Using SUBSTRING in User-Defined Functions

You can create user-defined functions (UDFs) that use SUBSTRING to perform complex string manipulations.

Example: Creating a UDF to extract a specific word from a string.

CREATE FUNCTION dbo.GetWord (@String VARCHAR(MAX), @WordNumber INT)
RETURNS VARCHAR(MAX)
AS
BEGIN
    DECLARE @Start INT, @End INT, @Word VARCHAR(MAX);

    -- Find the start position of the word
    SET @Start = CASE @WordNumber WHEN 1 THEN 1 ELSE
        (SELECT SUM(CASE WHEN value = '' THEN 0 ELSE 1 END) + 1
         FROM
         (
             SELECT
                 SUBSTRING(@String, number, CHARINDEX(' ', @String + ' ', number) - number) AS value,
                 number
             FROM master.dbo.spt_values
             WHERE
                 type = 'P' AND
                 number BETWEEN 1 AND LEN(@String) AND
                 SUBSTRING(' ' + @String, number, 1) = ' '
         ) AS Substrings
         WHERE number < (SELECT TOP 1 number FROM master.dbo.spt_values
             WHERE
                 type = 'P' AND
                 number BETWEEN 1 AND LEN(@String) AND
                 SUBSTRING(' ' + @String, number, 1) = ' ' AND number >= 
                (SELECT TOP 1 number FROM master.dbo.spt_values
             WHERE
                 type = 'P' AND
                 number BETWEEN 1 AND LEN(@String) AND
                 SUBSTRING(' ' + @String, number, 1) = ' ' AND number <= len(@String)
         ORDER BY number
         OFFSET @WordNumber -1 ROWS FETCH NEXT 1 ROWS ONLY) )

                END

    -- Find the end position of the word
    SELECT @End =  number FROM master.dbo.spt_values
             WHERE
                 type = 'P' AND
                 number BETWEEN 1 AND LEN(@String) AND
                 SUBSTRING(' ' + @String, number, 1) = ' ' AND number > = 
                (SELECT TOP 1 number FROM master.dbo.spt_values
             WHERE
                 type = 'P' AND
                 number BETWEEN 1 AND LEN(@String) AND
                 SUBSTRING(' ' + @String, number, 1) = ' ' AND number <= len(@String)
         ORDER BY number
         OFFSET @WordNumber -1 ROWS FETCH NEXT 1 ROWS ONLY) 
     ORDER BY number
         OFFSET 0 ROWS FETCH NEXT 1 ROWS ONLY

    IF @Start IS NULL OR @End IS NULL
        SET @Word = NULL;
    ELSE
        SET @Word = SUBSTRING(@String, @Start, @End - @Start);

    RETURN @Word;
END;

-- Usage
SELECT dbo.GetWord('This is a test string', 3); -- Returns 'a'

Explanation:
- This UDF takes a string and a word number as input.
- It uses SUBSTRING and CHARINDEX to find the start and end positions of the specified word.
- It returns the extracted word.

6.3 Optimizing SUBSTRING Queries for Performance

When working with large datasets, optimizing SUBSTRING queries is essential.

Indexing: Ensure that columns used in SUBSTRING operations are properly indexed.
Computed Columns: Create computed columns that store the result of SUBSTRING operations, which can improve query performance.
Avoid Functions in WHERE Clause: Avoid using functions like SUBSTRING directly in the WHERE clause, as this can prevent the use of indexes.

7. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

While the SUBSTRING function is powerful, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

7.1 Off-by-One Errors

Mistake: Forgetting that the start position is 1-based, not 0-based.
Solution: Always remember that the first character in a string is at position 1.

7.2 Negative Length Values

Mistake: Using a negative value for the length argument.
Solution: Ensure that the length argument is always a positive integer.

7.3 Exceeding String Length

Mistake: Specifying a start and length that exceeds the length of the string.
Solution: Use the LEN function to check the length of the string and adjust the start and length accordingly.

7.4 Incorrectly Handling NULL Values

Mistake: Not handling NULL values properly.

Solution: Use the ISNULL or CASE statement to handle NULL values.

SELECT
    ISNULL(SUBSTRING(SomeColumn, 1, 5), '')
FROM
    SomeTable;

8. SQL Server Substring Function vs. Other String Functions

Understanding how SUBSTRING compares to other string functions helps you choose the right tool for the job.

8.1 SUBSTRING vs. LEFT and RIGHT

LEFT(string, length): Extracts a specified number of characters from the beginning of a string.
RIGHT(string, length): Extracts a specified number of characters from the end of a string.
SUBSTRING(string, start, length): Extracts a substring from any position in a string.
When to Use:
- Use LEFT or RIGHT when you need to extract characters from the beginning or end of a string.
- Use SUBSTRING when you need to extract characters from a specific position within a string.

8.2 SUBSTRING vs. CHARINDEX and PATINDEX

CHARINDEX(substring, string, start): Returns the starting position of a substring within a string.
PATINDEX(pattern, expression): Returns the starting position of a pattern within a string.
SUBSTRING(string, start, length): Extracts a substring from a specific position with a specified length.
When to Use:
- Use CHARINDEX or PATINDEX to find the position of a substring or pattern.
- Use SUBSTRING to extract a portion of a string based on a known position.

8.3 SUBSTRING vs. REPLACE and STUFF

REPLACE(string, old_substring, new_substring): Replaces all occurrences of a specified substring with another substring.
STUFF(string, start, length, new_substring): Deletes a specified length of characters and inserts another substring at a specified position.
SUBSTRING(string, start, length): Extracts a substring from a specific position with a specified length.
When to Use:
- Use REPLACE to replace all occurrences of a substring.
- Use STUFF to insert or replace characters at a specific position.
- Use SUBSTRING to extract a portion of a string.

9. How to Improve SQL Server Substring Function Performance?

Optimizing performance when using the SUBSTRING function is crucial, especially when dealing with large datasets. Here are several strategies to improve performance:

9.1 Use Indexes

Explanation: Ensure that the columns you’re using in the SUBSTRING function are indexed. Indexes allow SQL Server to quickly locate the rows it needs to process, significantly speeding up query execution.

Example:

CREATE INDEX IX_ColumnName ON TableName (ColumnName);

9.2 Computed Columns

Explanation: If you frequently use the same SUBSTRING operation, consider creating a computed column. A computed column stores the result of the SUBSTRING function, so SQL Server doesn’t have to recalculate it every time the query runs.

Example:

ALTER TABLE TableName ADD SubstringColumn AS (SUBSTRING(ColumnName, 1, 10));
CREATE INDEX IX_SubstringColumn ON TableName (SubstringColumn);

9.3 Avoid Functions in the WHERE Clause

Explanation: Using functions like SUBSTRING directly in the WHERE clause can prevent SQL Server from using indexes. Instead, try to rewrite your query to avoid using functions in the WHERE clause.

Example:

Inefficient:

SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE SUBSTRING(ColumnName, 1, 3) = 'ABC';

Efficient:

SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE ColumnName LIKE 'ABC%';

9.4 Use COLLATE for Case-Insensitive Comparisons

Explanation: If you need to perform case-insensitive comparisons with SUBSTRING, use the COLLATE clause to specify a case-insensitive collation.

Example:

SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE SUBSTRING(ColumnName, 1, 3) = 'abc' COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CI_AS;

9.5 Limit Data Retrieval

Explanation: Only retrieve the data you need. Use WHERE clauses to filter the data as early as possible in the query.

Example:

SELECT SUBSTRING(ColumnName, 1, 10) FROM TableName WHERE SomeCondition = 1;

9.6 Optimize Data Types

Explanation: Use the most appropriate data types for your columns. For example, if you only need to store a limited number of characters, use VARCHAR(n) instead of VARCHAR(MAX).

Example:

ALTER TABLE TableName ALTER COLUMN ColumnName VARCHAR(50);

10. How to Troubleshoot Common Issues with SQL Server Substring Function?

Even with a solid understanding of the SUBSTRING function, you may encounter issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot common problems:

10.1 Incorrect Results

Problem: The SUBSTRING function returns unexpected results.
Possible Causes:
- Incorrect start or length values.
- Off-by-one errors.
- Incorrectly handling NULL values.
Troubleshooting Steps:
1. Double-check the start and length values.
2. Verify that the start value is 1-based.
3. Use ISNULL or CASE to handle NULL values.
4. Test the SUBSTRING function with sample data to isolate the issue.

10.2 Performance Issues

Problem: The SUBSTRING function is causing performance issues.
Possible Causes:
- Lack of indexes.
- Using functions in the WHERE clause.
- Inefficient data types.
Troubleshooting Steps:
1. Create indexes on the columns used in the SUBSTRING function.
2. Avoid using functions in the WHERE clause.
3. Use computed columns for frequently used SUBSTRING operations.
4. Optimize data types.

10.3 Errors

Problem: The SUBSTRING function is returning an error.
Possible Causes:
- Negative length value.
- Invalid data type.
Troubleshooting Steps:
1. Ensure that the length value is a positive integer.
2. Verify that the data type of the expression is compatible with the SUBSTRING function.
3. Check the SQL Server error log for more information.

10.4 Unexpected NULL Values

Problem: The SUBSTRING function is returning NULL values unexpectedly.
Possible Causes:
- The expression is NULL.
- The start value is greater than the length of the expression.
Troubleshooting Steps:
1. Use ISNULL or CASE to handle NULL values.
2. Verify that the start value is not greater than the length of the expression.

11. Real-World Use Cases for SQL Server Substring Function

The SUBSTRING function is used in various real-world scenarios. Here are some examples:

11.1 Data Cleansing

Scenario: Cleaning up data by removing unwanted characters or standardizing formats.
Example: Removing leading or trailing spaces from a string.
```
SELECT RTRIM(LTRIM(ColumnName)) FROM TableName;
```

11.2 Data Transformation

Scenario: Transforming data to fit specific requirements.

Example: Converting a date from one format to another.

SELECT
    SUBSTRING(DateColumn, 1, 4) + '-' +
    SUBSTRING(DateColumn, 5, 2) + '-' +
    SUBSTRING(DateColumn, 7, 2) AS FormattedDate
FROM TableName;

11.3 Data Validation

Scenario: Validating data by checking specific parts of a string against predefined formats.
Example: Validating that a phone number starts with a specific area code.
```
SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE SUBSTRING(PhoneNumber, 1, 3) = '555';
```

11.4 Reporting

Scenario: Creating more readable reports by extracting and formatting key information from text fields.
Example: Displaying the first few characters of a long text field in a report.
```
SELECT LEFT(LongTextField, 50) + '...' AS ShortTextField FROM TableName;
```

12. The Future of String Manipulation in SQL Server

As data continues to grow in complexity and volume, the importance of string manipulation in SQL Server will only increase. Here are some trends and potential future developments:

12.1 Enhanced String Functions

Explanation: SQL Server may introduce new string functions to handle more complex string manipulation tasks.
Potential Developments:
- Regular expression support in more string functions.
- Improved performance for string operations.
- More flexible string parsing capabilities.

12.2 Integration with Machine Learning

Explanation: SQL Server may integrate with machine learning technologies to provide advanced text analysis capabilities.
Potential Developments:
- Sentiment analysis.
- Named entity recognition.
- Text classification.

12.3 Cloud-Based String Manipulation Services

Explanation: Cloud platforms like Azure may offer specialized string manipulation services that can be integrated with SQL Server.
Potential Developments:
- Scalable string processing.
- Support for multiple languages.
- Advanced text analytics.

13. FAQ About SQL Server Substring Function

Here are some frequently asked questions about the SQL Server SUBSTRING function:

13.1 What is the SQL Server Substring Function Used For?

The SQL Server substring function extracts a portion of a string, allowing you to manipulate text data, extract relevant information, and clean up data for analysis, reporting, and application development.

13.2 How Do I Extract the First 5 Characters of a String in SQL Server?

You can extract the first 5 characters of a string using the SUBSTRING function with the start argument set to 1 and the length argument set to 5:

SELECT SUBSTRING('Hello World', 1, 5); -- Returns 'Hello'

13.3 How Do I Extract the Last 5 Characters of a String in SQL Server?

You can extract the last 5 characters of a string using a combination of the RIGHT and LEN functions:

SELECT RIGHT('Hello World', 5); -- Returns 'World'

13.4 How Do I Find the Position of a Substring in SQL Server?

You can find the position of a substring within a string using the CHARINDEX function:

SELECT CHARINDEX('World', 'Hello World'); -- Returns 7

13.5 How Do I Replace a Substring in SQL Server?

You can replace a substring in SQL Server using the REPLACE function:

SELECT REPLACE('Hello World', 'World', 'SQL Server'); -- Returns 'Hello SQL Server'

13.6 How Do I Handle NULL Values with the SQL Server Substring Function?

You can handle NULL values with the SQL Server substring function using the ISNULL or CASE statement:

SELECT ISNULL(SUBSTRING(ColumnName, 1, 5), '') FROM TableName;

13.7 How Do I Improve the Performance of SQL Server Substring Queries?

To improve the performance of SQL Server substring queries, use indexes, computed columns, avoid functions in the WHERE clause, and optimize data types.

13.8 Can I Use the SQL Server Substring Function with Binary Data?

Yes, you can use the SQL Server substring function with binary data. When working with binary data, the start and length arguments are specified in bytes.

13.9 How Do I Extract the Nth Word from a String in SQL Server?

You can extract the Nth word from a string in SQL Server using a user-defined function (UDF) that combines the SUBSTRING and CHARINDEX functions.

13.10 What Are the Best Practices for Using the SQL Server Substring Function?

The best practices for using the SQL Server substring function include understanding the syntax, handling NULL values, optimizing performance, and testing your queries thoroughly.

14. Conclusion

The SQL Server SUBSTRING function is an indispensable tool for anyone working with string data. By mastering its syntax, understanding its arguments, and applying advanced techniques, you can efficiently manipulate data, extract relevant information, and enhance your applications. Remember to optimize your queries for performance and follow best practices to avoid common mistakes.

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Example of using SQL Server Substring Function to extract data from a string

1. What is the SQL Server Substring Function and Why is it Important?

1.1 Why Use the SQL Server Substring Function?

1.2 What are the Benefits of Using the SQL Server Substring Function?

2. What is the Syntax of the SQL Server Substring Function?

3. Understanding the Arguments of the SQL Server Substring Function?

3.1 Expression

3.2 Start

3.3 Length

4. How to Use SQL Server Substring Function with Different Data Types?

4.1 Using SUBSTRING with Character Data

4.2 Using SUBSTRING with Binary Data

4.3 Using SUBSTRING with Text Data

5. Practical Examples of the SQL Server Substring Function

5.1 Extracting Initials from a Full Name

5.2 Extracting a Date Part from a String

5.3 Masking Sensitive Data

5.4 Parsing Delimited Strings

6. Advanced Techniques Using the SQL Server Substring Function

6.1 Combining SUBSTRING with Other String Functions

6.2 Using SUBSTRING in User-Defined Functions

6.3 Optimizing SUBSTRING Queries for Performance

7. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

7.1 Off-by-One Errors

7.2 Negative Length Values

7.3 Exceeding String Length

7.4 Incorrectly Handling NULL Values

8. SQL Server Substring Function vs. Other String Functions

8.1 SUBSTRING vs. LEFT and RIGHT

8.2 SUBSTRING vs. CHARINDEX and PATINDEX

8.3 SUBSTRING vs. REPLACE and STUFF

9. How to Improve SQL Server Substring Function Performance?

9.1 Use Indexes

9.2 Computed Columns

9.3 Avoid Functions in the WHERE Clause

9.4 Use COLLATE for Case-Insensitive Comparisons

9.5 Limit Data Retrieval

9.6 Optimize Data Types

10. How to Troubleshoot Common Issues with SQL Server Substring Function?

10.1 Incorrect Results

10.2 Performance Issues

10.3 Errors

10.4 Unexpected NULL Values

11. Real-World Use Cases for SQL Server Substring Function

11.1 Data Cleansing

11.2 Data Transformation

11.3 Data Validation

11.4 Reporting

12. The Future of String Manipulation in SQL Server

12.1 Enhanced String Functions

12.2 Integration with Machine Learning

12.3 Cloud-Based String Manipulation Services

13. FAQ About SQL Server Substring Function

13.1 What is the SQL Server Substring Function Used For?

13.2 How Do I Extract the First 5 Characters of a String in SQL Server?

13.3 How Do I Extract the Last 5 Characters of a String in SQL Server?

13.4 How Do I Find the Position of a Substring in SQL Server?

13.5 How Do I Replace a Substring in SQL Server?

13.6 How Do I Handle NULL Values with the SQL Server Substring Function?

13.7 How Do I Improve the Performance of SQL Server Substring Queries?

13.8 Can I Use the SQL Server Substring Function with Binary Data?

13.9 How Do I Extract the Nth Word from a String in SQL Server?

13.10 What Are the Best Practices for Using the SQL Server Substring Function?

14. Conclusion

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