SQL Server is a powerful database management system that offers a wide range of functions to manipulate and format strings. In this blog post, we will explore some of the string functions available in SQL Server and how they can be used to achieve desired results.

The FORMAT Function

The FORMAT function in SQL Server allows you to format a value as a specific data type or display it in a specific format. It takes three parameters: the value to be formatted, the format string, and the culture.

For example, if you want to display the current date and time in the format “Current Time is Sunday July 16, 2012”, you can use the following SQL query:

SELECT 'Current Time is ' + FORMAT(GETDATE(), N'dddd MMMM dd, yyyy', 'en-US') AS CurrentTimeString;

This will return the desired string with the current date and time.

The CONCAT Function

The CONCAT function in SQL Server allows you to concatenate multiple strings into a single string. It takes two or more parameters and returns the concatenated string.

In the previous example, we used the CONCAT function to achieve the same result:

SELECT CONCAT('Current Time is ', FORMAT(GETDATE(), N'dddd MMMM dd, yyyy', 'en-US')) AS CurrentTimeString;

Both the FORMAT and CONCAT functions can be used to achieve the desired result. However, it is important to note that the CONCAT function is only available in SQL Server 2012 and later versions. If you are using an earlier version, you will need to use the FORMAT function with string concatenation.

Alternative Approach

While exploring different ways to create the desired string, I came across an interesting alternative using only the FORMAT function:

SELECT FORMAT(GETDATE(), N'"Current Time is "dddd MMMM dd, yyyy', 'en-US') AS CurrentTimeString;

By enclosing the string “Current Time is” in double quotes within the format string, we can directly include it in the formatted output.

It is important to use double quotes around the string in the FORMAT function to ensure the desired result.

Conclusion

SQL Server provides a variety of string functions that can be used to manipulate and format strings. The FORMAT function allows you to format values as specific data types or display them in specific formats, while the CONCAT function allows you to concatenate multiple strings into a single string.

By understanding and utilizing these functions effectively, you can enhance your SQL Server queries and achieve the desired results.