SQL function we could use more often — ASCII () function...

Hello Everyone:

Let dig in ASCII function in SQL Server:

The ASCII function in SQL Server is a built-in function that returns the ASCII code of the first character in a string. This function can be particularly useful in various scenarios, such as data validation, encoding processes, and character-based operations. Understanding how to use this function effectively can enhance your ability to manipulate and analyze text data within SQL Server.

Steps to Demonstrate the ASCII Function:

1. Create a Sample Database and Table:

We created a database named SampleDB and a table SampleTable with columns ID and TextValue.

Inserted sample data into the table for demonstration purposes.

2. Use the ASCII Function:

Executed queries to retrieve the ASCII value of the first character in each TextValue in SampleTable.

Demonstrated retrieving the ASCII value for specific characters.

Showed how to use the ASCII function with a variable.

Step 1: Create a Sample Database and Table

First, we'll create a sample database and table to work with. We'll insert some data into the table so that we can demonstrate the use of the ASCII function.

sql

-- Create a new database
CREATE DATABASE SampleDB;
GO

-- Use the newly created database
USE SampleDB;
GO

-- Create a new table
CREATE TABLE SampleTable (
    ID INT PRIMARY KEY,
    TextValue NVARCHAR(100)
);
GO

-- Insert sample data into the table
INSERT INTO SampleTable (ID, TextValue)
VALUES
(1, 'Hello'),
(2, 'World'),
(3, 'SQL Server'),
(4, 'ASCII Function'),
(5, 'Example');
GO
        

Step 2: Use the ASCII Function

The ASCII function returns the ASCII value for the first character in a string. Here are some examples of how to use it:

sql

-- Select the ASCII value for the first character of each TextValue
SELECT
    ID,
    TextValue,
    ASCII(TextValue) AS FirstCharASCII
FROM
    SampleTable;
GO

-- Select the ASCII value for a specific string
SELECT
    'H' AS Character,
    ASCII('H') AS ASCIIValue;
GO

-- Using the ASCII function with a variable
DECLARE @string NVARCHAR(100);
SET @string = 'SQL Server';

SELECT
    @string AS StringValue,
    ASCII(@string) AS FirstCharASCII;
GO
        

Explanation

1. Creating Database and Table:

We first create a new database named SampleDB and then create a table SampleTable with columns ID and TextValue.

We insert several rows into SampleTable with sample text values.

2. Using the ASCII Function:

The first query selects the ASCII value for the first character of each TextValue in the table.

The second query demonstrates how to get the ASCII value for a specific character.

The third query shows how to use the ASCII function with a variable.

Output

The output for the first query would look something like this:

sql

ID | TextValue            | FirstCharASCII
---|-------------------|----------------
1  | Hello                   | 72
2  | World                  | 87
3  | SQL Server           | 83
4  | ASCII Function     | 65
5  | Example               | 69


        

The output for the second query would be:

sql

Character     |    ASCIIValue
--------------|--------------
H                  |      72        

The output for the third query would be:

sql

StringValue    | FirstCharASCII
---------------|----------------
SQL Server    |      83        

Closing Conclusions:

The ASCII function in SQL Server is a straightforward yet powerful tool for obtaining the ASCII values of characters in strings. By incorporating this function into your SQL queries, you can perform detailed character analysis and implement efficient data validation processes. The examples provided demonstrate the ease with which you can apply the ASCII function to both static strings and dynamic data within your database.

Understanding and utilizing the ASCII function enables more refined data manipulation capabilities, contributing to more effective database management and querying. Whether you're working with text data analysis or encoding tasks, the ASCII function provides a reliable method to convert characters to their respective ASCII codes, thereby expanding your SQL Server toolkit.

These foundational examples serve as a starting point for deeper exploration into character manipulation and encoding functions in SQL Server, paving the way for more complex and sophisticated data operations.

Fidel V (the Mad Scientist)

Project Engineer || Solution Architect

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