SQL SUBSTRING function is used to get part of a string. Different databases have different writtings:
| SQL Server | SUBSTRING() |
| Oracle | SUBSTR() |
| MySQL | SUBSTR(), SUBSTRING() |
SQL SUBSTRING Syntax
SUBSTRING (str, pos, len)
Return a string start from pos and length is len.
or (this syntax is not supported by SQL Server):
SUBSTRING (str, pos)
Return a string start from pos and all the remaining characters.
SQL SUBSTRING Example
Table: Employees
| EmployeeId | FirstName | LastName | Department | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 203 | Bikliaa | Fxoj | Finance | 78000 |
| 204 | Jozzh | Juheeo | Finance | 45800 |
| 205 | Syllauu | Dfaafk | Finance | 57000 |
| 206 | Gecrrcc | Srlkrt | Finance | 62000 |
| 302 | Uifaou | Bdnaa | Development | 75000 |
| 303 | Nhuiaa | Shillloa | Development | 55000 |
| 304 | Yhadd | Blooo | Development | 49000 |
Select all the employees with initial and last name:
SELECT SUBSTRING(FirstName, 1, 1) AS Initial, Lastname FROM Employees
The result will look like:
| Initial | LastName |
|---|---|
| B | Fxoj |
| J | Juheeo |
| S | Dfaafk |
| G | Srlkrt |
| U | Bdnaa |
| N | Shillloa |
| Y | Blooo |