Get everything after and before certain character in SQL Server

Extract specific excerpt when multiple delimiters are present

When dealing with strings filled with delimiters more than a porcupine has spikes, CHARINDEX, SUBSTRING, and LEFT functions can work together to isolate what your heart (or function) desires:

DECLARE @file_path NVARCHAR(100) = 'dir/subdir/filename.ext';

-- Trying to find 'filename' in a forest of slashes and dots!
SELECT SUBSTRING(
    @file_path,
    CHARINDEX('/', REVERSE(@file_path)) + 1,
    CHARINDEX('.', @file_path) - CHARINDEX('/', REVERSE(@file_path)) - 1
) AS FileName;


Reverse the string to locate the last '/', then handpick the necessary section. Perfect for complex patterns or delimiter conventions that are harder to follow than a map written in Elvish!

Bulletproof your queries against mischievous strings

Some strings may lack delimiters or bring in unexpected null values, creating a hailstorm of potential errors. With CASE statements coding becomes as robust as grandma's fruit jelly:

DECLARE @str NVARCHAR(100) = 'incomplete_data';

-- '@' has gone missing, but no fear, CASE is here!
SELECT CASE
    WHEN CHARINDEX('@', @str) > 0 THEN SUBSTRING(@str, 1, CHARINDEX('@', @str) - 1)
    ELSE @str
END AS BeforeChar;


Never go into battle unguarded! Checking the existence of delimiters is a solid strategy for accurate and reliable results.

Be the Picasso of SQL queries: Tricks and optimizations

Paint your SQL masterpiece by learning the nuances of these techniques:

1. Dynamic lengths: Keep your SQL scalable by calculating lengths for any file or extension.
2. Soccer tactics: Pass the ball from the right! RIGHT with CHARINDEX and LEN can work out magic with end-focused strings.
3. Stack the functions: Pile up CHARINDEX functions to find your way through the maze of complex patterns.

Master these techniques, and you'll dance with data as gracefully as a ballerina twirls with her partner.

Rein in the chaos: Handling variable formats

In the wild west of code, not all strings follow the law. When dealing with the rowdy ones:

1. Wildcard delimiters: Use PATINDEX or CHARINDEX creatively to bring order.
2. Missing delimiters: If your delimiters are playing hide-and-seek, rely on conditional logic to find them.
3. Generic substring approach: Bring a haystack to a needle fight by using clever SUBSTRING implementations.

Stay adaptable, and not even the most complex saloon brawl (or string) can bring you down.

Writing the future: Database management applications

Whether sanitizing data, customizing reports, or managing integrations, substring manipulation is your time machine:

• Data sanitization: Assurance of consistent and accurate substrings leads to data integrity.
• Customization: Reports sing your tune through the magic of substring extraction.
• System integration: Prepare your data to travel to different systems by matching their unique formatting requirements.

Master the manipulation of SQL functions, and transform your database from a cobweb-filled basement into a lean, mean, data-handling machine.