Working with SQL Server Substring Functions

Hello Dev, are you curious about how to work with SQL Server SUBSTRING function? You are in the right place. In this journal article, we will learn about SQL Server SUBSTRING function and its usage. We will start with its definition and then move onto its syntax and examples. Let’s dive deep into it.

Defining SQL Server SUBSTRING Function

SQL Server SUBSTRING function is used to extract a substring or a part of a string from a given string. It is a built-in string function that is used to manipulate string data types. With the help of this function, you can extract a specific number of characters from a string, starting from a given position.

The syntax of SQL Server SUBSTRING function is as follows:

Function	Description
SUBSTRING(string, start, length)	Extracts a substring from a string

Using SQL Server SUBSTRING Function

Now that we know the syntax of SQL Server SUBSTRING function, let’s move on to its usage. To use the function, you need to provide the string from which you want to extract the substring, the starting position of the substring, and the length of the substring. Take a look at the following example:

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

The above query will extract the first 5 characters from the string ‘Hello World’, starting from the first position. The output will be:

Hello

Examples of SQL Server SUBSTRING Function

Example 1 – Extracting Substring with Starting Position and Length

Let’s extract a substring from a string using starting position and length. Consider the following example:

SELECT SUBSTRING('This is a sample string', 6, 2);

The above query will extract 2 characters from the string ‘This is a sample string’, starting from the 6th position. The output will be:

is

Example 2 – Extracting Substring with Starting Position Only

You can also extract a substring from a string using only the starting position. Consider the following example:

SELECT SUBSTRING('This is a sample string', 6);

The above query will extract all the characters from the string ‘This is a sample string’, starting from the 6th position. The output will be:

is a sample string

Example 3 – Extracting Substring from a Column

You can extract a substring from a column in a table using the SQL Server SUBSTRING function. Consider the following example:

SELECT SUBSTRING(Name, 1, 3) FROM Employee;

The above query will extract the first 3 characters of the ‘Name’ column from the ‘Employee’ table. The output will be:

Name
Tom
John
Mary

FAQs

What is SQL Server SUBSTRING function?

SQL Server SUBSTRING function is used to extract a substring or a part of a string from a given string. It is a built-in string function that is used to manipulate string data types. With the help of this function, you can extract a specific number of characters from a string, starting from a given position.

What is the syntax of SQL Server SUBSTRING function?

The syntax of SQL Server SUBSTRING function is as follows:

SUBSTRING(string, start, length)

How to extract a substring from a string using SQL Server SUBSTRING function?

You can extract a substring from a string using the SQL Server SUBSTRING function by providing the string from which you want to extract the substring, the starting position of the substring, and the length of the substring.

Can I extract a substring from a column in a table using SQL Server SUBSTRING function?

Yes, you can extract a substring from a column in a table using the SQL Server SUBSTRING function. You need to provide the column name instead of the string in the function.

What is the use of SQL Server SUBSTRING function?

The SQL Server SUBSTRING function is used to manipulate string data types. With the help of this function, you can extract a specific number of characters from a string, starting from a given position.

Conclusion

So, we have learned about the SQL Server SUBSTRING function, its usage, and examples. We also covered some frequently asked questions related to the function. I hope this article has helped you in understanding the concepts of SQL Server SUBSTRING function. If you have any queries, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.