LEN works for VARCHAR but not for TEXT. To find the length of text field data, use DATALENGTH(textfield). A one line example shows how.
SQL SERVER – Delay Function – WAITFOR clause – Delay Execution of Commands
The WAITFOR clause delays a batch, stored procedure or transaction until a set time or for an interval. I use it daily after restores. DELAY and TIME examples.
SQL SERVER – De-fragmentation of Database at Operating System to Improve Performance
Why does de-fragmentation of database files at the operating system level skip MDF files? SQL Server has them open, so stop the services first.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – UDF – User Defined Function to Strip HTML – Parse HTML – No Regular Expression
A simple SQL Server function to parse HTML and keep only the text, with no regular expressions needed. Copy the UDF and try it on your own data.
SQL SERVER – sp_HelpText for sp_HelpText – Puzzle
What happens when you run sp_HelpText on itself? It prints its own code. Plus tips for long lines, encrypted objects and searching object code.
SUM Integer Values: Cast Before the Aggregate
SUM integer values can exceed int even when each row fits. Cast each input to bigint before aggregation and keep NULL and empty-set behavior visible.
SQL SERVER – Easy Sequence of SELECT FROM JOIN WHERE GROUP BY HAVING ORDER BY
The sequence of SELECT, FROM, JOIN, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING and ORDER BY that I gave my new hires. Since then they ask me far fewer questions.