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SQL | Scalar functions exercise | Create a scalar function to count the total number of letters
This exercise is provided to allow potential course delegates to choose the correct Wise Owl Microsoft training course, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any format without the prior written consent of Wise Owl.
Software ==> | SQL (198 exercises) |
Version ==> | Any version of SQL Server |
Topic ==> | Scalar functions (6 exercises) |
Level ==> | Relatively easy |
Subject ==> | SQL training |
- Go into SQL Server Management Studio;
- Open the SQL file you've just unzipped (you can press CTRL + O to do this); then
- Execute this script.
This will generate the database that you'll need to use in order to do this exercise (note that the database and script are only to be used for exercises published on this website, and may not be reused or distributed in any form without the prior written permission of Wise Owl).
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Create a function called fnLetterCount which takes two parameters:
Parameter | What it should contain |
---|---|
@First | The name of an event |
@Second | The details for an event |
Your function should sum:
- The length in letters of the event name (using the LEN function); and
- The length in letters of the event details column (again using LEN).
Your function should then return this value as an integer. As a reminder, here's the syntax of a basic function:
CREATE FUNCTION NameOfFunction(
@Parameter1 datatype1,
...,
)
RETURNS ReturnDataType
AS
BEGIN
RETURN ...
END
Test that your function works by running a query like this:
-- this should return the number 7 (4 + 3)
SELECT dbo.fnLetterCount('Wise','Owl')
AS 'Number of letters'
Incorporate this function within a query to list out events in order of the total number of characters used, with the shortest first:

The first few events this query should return.
Optionally, save this as Pointless statistic.sql, then close it down.