String Handling Functions - Part 4

Today we're looking at the PATINDEX function. It's similar to CHARINDEX in that you use it to find the start of a string inside a string, but it's different too - you have to include the wildcards unless you're matching the entire string, and the wildcards give you the full power of LIKE when finding matches. We'll also show you how to combine it with COLLATE to do a case sensitive search.

Andy Warren is a software trainer focusing on SQL Server, a member of the PASS Board of Directors, and a principal in this site - SQLShare.com.

Lynn Somenauer on 10/12/2010

Any chance we can get your scripts for parts 1-5 for reference?

Keith on 10/14/2010

i wish you had addressed how/why patindex( '%uic','quick') returns zero. (no trailing wildcard)

Todd Burrell on 10/14/2010

As I've watched the charindex and patindex lessons, I've found myself wondering in what scenario I might be able to apply these. Perhaps I'm missing something big, but it would help to see once I've found the index of something of interest within the string, what am I going to do with that index? Thanks for reading.

Mohamed Irshad on 10/14/2010

very much helpful. learned something new (patindex). thanks.

A Alagu Ganesh on 10/15/2010

goof

A Alagu Ganesh on 10/15/2010

Good

Albert on 10/15/2010

very nice!!, Muy bueno!!

JohnG on 10/15/2010

These are really good. Thanks!

Don Weigend on 10/15/2010

Nice examples! They made the explanation very clear and easy to follow.

Nagarajan on 10/16/2010

Nice video thanks

Prathap on 10/17/2010

Good Video

kalapala baburao on 10/17/2010

good

Carrie on 10/26/2010

Some new functionality to me. I never knew this function existed.

Tonci on 12/10/2010

as great as charindex explanation. thank you.

Leon on 1/26/2011

Useful, never heard of charindex or patindex (newbie)