SQL | Scalar functions exercise | Create a scalar function to count the total number of letters

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You can learn how to do this exercise if you attend one of more of the courses listed below!

Software ==> SQL  (198 exercises)
Version ==> Any version of SQL Server
Topic ==> Scalar functions  (6 exercises)
Level ==> Relatively easy
Classroom ==> Fast-track SQL  /  Advanced SQL
Online ==> Fast-track SQL  /  Advanced SQL
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  2. Open the SQL file you've just unzipped (you can press CTRL + O to do this); then
  3. Execute this script.

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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:

First few events

The first few events this query should return.

Optionally, save this as Pointless statistic.sql, then close it down.

You can unzip this file to see the answers to this exercise, although please remember this is for your personal use only.
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