Using a combination of VARCHAR(8000) as previously mentioned and multiple variables, you can build stored procedures to the max of 250 MB (for "Bytes in source text of a stored...

Or, you could try ParseName and Replace like this... Like NoelD suggested, TinyInt comes into play... The Str and Convert functions are to zero fill the octects.

DECLARE @MyTCPIP...

I mentioned indexes (rather, the lack of) in my last reply to Scott.

Checkout the ParseName function... it was designed to parse octets in addresses and name in 4 part named database objects.  Could help you to shorten your function a bit...

You're welcome.... just in case you didn't know... Books-on-Line is free and comes with SQL Server... it's the name of the rather voluminous on-line help that comes with SQL Server.

Scott,

No offense was meant and I agree except that I've seen the optimizer give the non-Case method the win 2 out of 3 times when testing with and without proper indexes...

The CASE statement is very useful, indeed, although I don't think it will increase the performance in this particular case.

"Book-on-Line" is a great resource, once you learn how to use it and actually take the time to read it.  And, I've found that some of the authors that write...

Eheraux,

Your original problem stated:

I have an "OpeningDate" field in a table that's set up as a varchar, but the data it contains is all dates (3rd party app. I didn't...

I believe the time difference is -8 hours so try this...

DATEADD(hh,-8,yourUTCdatetime)

Very nice alzdba!  It's exactly what I needed.  Thanks for coming through on such short notice... I was really in a crunch and you've just made it possible for me...

Here's a straight forward way that probably won't use available indexes...

SELECT yada-yada

  FROM yourtable

 WHERE datediff(mi,0,datecolumn)= datediff(mi,0,datetimelookingfor)

Here's a less straight forward way that will use available indexes...

SELECT...

David,

As promised, here's the actual BCP format file and the call to BCP to use it (from a command window).  This has been working correctly for almost a year.  Of...

I'll find the production code and see if I did anything different...  sorry for the confusion.

Hi David,

The example I gave was modified to be generic from production code that I currently have working in the same fashion offered.  Dunno what to say about the notation...