Sql Server converting varbinary to string

Work the magic with varbinary: the thorough guide

Dealing with large varbinary data

Varbinary data going beyond set lengths? Use varchar(MAX):

DECLARE @BinaryValue varbinary(MAX) -- "Hold my beer"
SET @BinaryValue = /* Your varbinary data here, hocus pocus time! */
SELECT CONVERT(varchar(MAX), @BinaryValue, 2) as HexString -- "Are you not entertained?"
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In this way, you dodge any data truncation dramas and keep the data's integrity intact.

SQL Server version considerations

Ever ran into issues with CONVERT not working as expected due to SQL Server version disparities?

• Old-timer before SQL Server 2008: The savior is master.dbo.fn_varbintohexstr().
• Modern SQL Server 2008 and newer: CONVERT works like a charm. Munchkin happy!

XML and T-SQL conversion combination

Combining XML methods with ** T-SQL** techniques takes a new angle on conversion:

DECLARE @BinaryValue varbinary(MAX) -- "A 'Hello World' a day, keeps the bugs away"
SET @BinaryValue = CAST('Hello World' AS varbinary(MAX))

SELECT CAST('' AS XML).value('xs:hexBinary(sql:variable("@BinaryValue"))', 'VARCHAR(MAX)') AS StringResult
-- "Winter is coming... but not for these conversions!"
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xs:hexBinary is your ally in the fight for varbinary conversion, especially when dealing with XML data types.

Mind the pitfalls

Sure, conversions are like magic spells. But even magic spells need testing!

• Be aware of your string data's initial encoding.
• Double-check if any data truncation is crashing the party during conversion.

Case sensitivity and aesthetic adjustments

To toggling the case of your resultant hex string, bring LOWER() or UPPER() functions into play:

SELECT LOWER(CONVERT(varchar(MAX), @BinaryValue, 2)) as LowercaseHexString
-- "Voila! Your Hex String's got a new outfit!"
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For those who anything but uppercase, LOWER()'s got your back. It's all about aesthetics and coding standards, right?

Leveraging conversions in querying

Calling all SQL James Bonds! Want to use converted strings in WHERE or JOIN clauses? Let's do it Robert Downey Jr. style:

DECLARE @StringValue varchar(MAX) = 'Hello World' -- "Keep calm and say Hello to the World!"
DECLARE @BinaryValue varbinary(MAX) = CONVERT(varbinary(MAX), @StringValue, 2)

SELECT * FROM YourTable
WHERE CONVERT(varchar(MAX), BinaryColumn, 2) = @StringValue 
-- "How do you like them apples?"
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Spelunking into varbintohexstr function

For those who fancy a spelunking expedition into the conversion cavern, try deciphering master.dbo.fn_varbintohexstr:

EXEC sp_helptext 'master.dbo.fn_varbintohexstr'
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Get to grips with SQL Server's binary data handling and amaze your geeky friends at the next party.

Modern SQL Server tools

For SQL hipsters, FORMAT is the next-gen way to negotiate with binary formats with the precision of a Swiss watch.