Question

I am using SQL Server 2005. I have a string with a special character : like:

XYZ:[e-mail]

I want to divide this string into two sub-strings and select into variables. The special character : is just a separator.

@variable1=XYZ
@variable2=[e-mail]

Please guide me on how it is possible.

Answer 1

String Dividing Guide:

1. Use CHARINDEX to find the position of :.

2. Use SUBSTRING to grab all the characters before the position of :, and put them into @variable1.

3. Use SUBSTRING to grab all the characters after the position of :, and store them into @variable2.

A possible implementation:

DECLARE @string varchar(max), @variable1 varchar(max), @variable2 varchar(max);
SET @string = 'XYZ:[e-mail]';

SELECT
  @variable1 = SUBSTRING(S, 1, P - 1),
  @variable2 = SUBSTRING(S, P + 1, L - P)
FROM (
  SELECT
    S = @string,
    P = CHARINDEX(':', @string),
    L = LEN(@string)
) s;

SELECT @variable1, @variable2;

Output:

-------------------- --------------------
XYZ                  [e-mail]